The truth is not simple. We assume that there is a distinctive division between the truth and fiction: one where there is only black and white without any overlap between the two possibilities. Yet, it appears they behave in a gradient manner instead of the stark dichromatic relationship that we originally inferred. For example, three pieces of poetic work published by separate authors offer the readers an insightful dialogue between the differing interpretations of the reality of working-class laborers in the eighteenth century. When viewing the works individually, each author presents their story based on their own personal beliefs and biases. Although through the comparison of these biases, the readers gain a deeper understanding of the
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John Gardner utilizes the reversal of one of the oldest monster stories in English literature, the early epic Beowulf, to retell the ancient story through the monster’s eyes, Grendel. In Gardner’s Grendel, we are introduced to the refreshing narrative of Grendel’s interpretation of his encounters with the Shaper and Beowulf. This leads the readers to almost empathize with the monster, despite our negative stereotypes that we normally associate with monsters. Most importantly, Gardner presents a compelling acknowledgment of authors’ influences on their audience by using the outsider to observe the Shaper’s sway over the Anglo-Saxon mead-hall unfold as the Shaper crafts his tale. As Grendel crept closer to the hall, he notices the hall’s mood drastically changed. The unruly occupants went silent as soon as the Shaper began to sing his own glorious version of King Hrothgar’s tale. After listening to the Shaper’s tale, Grendel remarks, “What was he? The man had changed the world, had torn up the past by its thick, gnarled roots and had transmuted it, and they, who knew the truth, remembered it his way—and so did I” (Gardner 43). This line clearly showcases Grendel’s realization of the power that the Shaper possesses as he manipulated facts about Hrothgar’s history to spin his own presentation. Gardner specifically notes that the Shaper tore “the past by it thick, gnarled roots” to signify that the Shaper’s changes were not just minor tweaks, but rather they were major modifications that further diverged the story from the factual portrayal. This was no longer the truth of the world; this was the truth of the Shaper. Through the Shaper’s skill, he was able to influence the world into believing his version instead of the actual history. Gardner then specifies that even the people who originally witnessed the historical side of the story,
John Gardner utilizes the reversal of one of the oldest monster stories in English literature, the early epic Beowulf, to retell the ancient story through the monster’s eyes, Grendel. In Gardner’s Grendel, we are introduced to the refreshing narrative of Grendel’s interpretation of his encounters with the Shaper and Beowulf. This leads the readers to almost empathize with the monster, despite our negative stereotypes that we normally associate with monsters. Most importantly, Gardner presents a compelling acknowledgment of authors’ influences on their audience by using the outsider to observe the Shaper’s sway over the Anglo-Saxon mead-hall unfold as the Shaper crafts his tale. As Grendel crept closer to the hall, he notices the hall’s mood drastically changed. The unruly occupants went silent as soon as the Shaper began to sing his own glorious version of King Hrothgar’s tale. After listening to the Shaper’s tale, Grendel remarks, “What was he? The man had changed the world, had torn up the past by its thick, gnarled roots and had transmuted it, and they, who knew the truth, remembered it his way—and so did I” (Gardner 43). This line clearly showcases Grendel’s realization of the power that the Shaper possesses as he manipulated facts about Hrothgar’s history to spin his own presentation. Gardner specifically notes that the Shaper tore “the past by it thick, gnarled roots” to signify that the Shaper’s changes were not just minor tweaks, but rather they were major modifications that further diverged the story from the factual portrayal. This was no longer the truth of the world; this was the truth of the Shaper. Through the Shaper’s skill, he was able to influence the world into believing his version instead of the actual history. Gardner then specifies that even the people who originally witnessed the historical side of the story,