Grendel And Frankenstein Comparison

Though their stories are different, intertwined in their own ways, their stories, when stripped to their underlying strands of text, are quite similar. Two separate beings, forged by the hands of a creator long gone, find themselves in a cold, cruel, world where their differences cast them out. They are neglected by their creators and rejected at every turn by all they come across. Without guidance and without discipline, these beings are made to grow in a world they do not know, to fend for themselves. The beings, Grendel and the Monster of Frankenstein, charge their way through a world that despises them, searching for companionship, for acceptance, and for their self-worth. Try as they might, they cannot succeed and their sorrow turns to
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To begin, when Grendel is first introduced he is alone, watching and casting questions towards a ram and the sky, however he receives no answer. This is a first look into the mindset of this descendent of Cain, Grendel has no one to speak to. Later on, when his mother is introduced, it is revealed that she is incapable of verbally speaking with her son. This lack of communication creates a canyon between Grendel and his mother, one that no bridge can cover. There is no mother or God to guide or teach him the ways of socialization, and so, he is isolated; watching the lives of others through a crack in a wall. He is, as the shaper sings, “The terrible race cursed by God”. (Gardner 51) Similar to how Grendel was abandoned, the Monster of Frankenstein was dealt a similar fate. From the moment the Monster opened his eyes, his creator refused and rejected him. Dr. Victor Frankenstein had created a
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Grendel was a being sung about in the songs of the shaper, who twisted tales to fit his own means. In the song Grendel was made out to be a wretched monster, without intellect, who only sought to kill. This wasn’t the case entirely. Grendel was determined to enter society, to be a part of their gatherings, instead at every turn he was chased away, cursed, and attacked. He was only a monster to those in the mead hall, a beast who could never be a part of them. Society shunned him and, again, he was alone. Left to struggle with determining who he was and what his place was in the world. He had no self-identity, no idea as to who or what he was meant to be. Grendel seemed to only want to be accepted into society, to interact in their songs and gatherings. He would often ask, “Why can’t I have someone to talk to”. (Gardner 53) He had no friend to speak to, no companion to share in his woes. He became bitter, jealous, and enraged. His false portrayal and constant rejection never stopped him from adapting to society, evidently it did turn him down a dark and vengeful path. Just as it did for the Monster. When Frankenstein attempted to join society, he was rejected and chased out due to his differences, but he wasn’t as interested in joining the society as Grendel was. The monster was content staying away from humans until he happened upon the family of