ce is a means of short-term escape. Although we want to see Grendel saved, it is impossible to aid all adolescents in troubled. In addition, if we say Grendels acts are justifiable because he lives in terrible world, we are also saying it is justifiable for a drug dealer to deal out drugs. In order to maintain balance in civilization, we must have equal shares of compassion and common sense. Common sense tells us children are not products of their environment. Rather, they must take responsibility for their actions. Common sense tells us punish those who commit crimes. John Gardner uses Grendel as a platform for his philosophic message of troubled youth lost in modern confusion. Gardner is a product of the turbulent 1960s. He uses his characters to reflect the period he lives in. During the 1960s Americas youth felt trapped and mislead in a country at war. Grendel, trapped in Hrothgars power movement, becomes a misinformed youth. Throughout the novel, Grendel seems to be more of a tool than a character. It is difficult to relate with Grendel, when his purpose is to push liberal themes in the novel. On July 3, 1974, Gardner told the San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle, All laws are an attempt to domesticate the natural ferocity of the species. Clearly, Gardners anti-government ideals interfere with the storytelling of Grendel. The novel and Grendel lose their tragic nobility throughout this philosophically profound story. Tragic teenage figures have been popular characters in twentieth century literature. Grendel, who is the protagonist of Grendel, is portrayed as a mislead adolescent, who finds peace in violence. Grendel continually sacks Hrothgars mead hall and deprives life from the mead hall. Gardner uses the novel to advocate his radical left wing views on America. Since the novel is so political, the reader cannot help but applaud Grendels death at the end of the book. Grendel is not a product of his environment; he is selfish anima...
