John Gardeners Grendel Kennings, Existentialism And Metaphor

In John Gardeners Grendel Kennings, existentialism and metaphor are used to highlight Grendle’s isolation and clearly establish a central idea that isolating one’s self leads to self destruction. Throughout the novel these literary techniques help Gardener to establish the idea of an already corrupt mind, collapsing around the edges. As the novel progresses the energy created intensifies and allures the audience. Signs of isolationism in Grendel are evident from the very beginning with Kennings to demonstrate Grendle’s emotions throughout the novel. The first evident sign of isolation established through Kennings is found on in chapter 1; it reads â€Å"such are tiresome memories of a shadow-shooter, earth-rim-roamer, walker of the world’s weird wall.† (Gardener, 7). Through this statement Gardener describes how Grendel is feeling, not only does give us insight into Grendle’s thoughts, but it also helps to establish the central mood of the novel. The author uses the word Shadow –shooter to give us insight into the idea that Grendel feels like he has been in constant hiding because of his outcastedness, while on the other hand earth-rim-roamer zones in on the concept that he feels he is not tied him down and no can force him into becoming so. This only expands our knowledge on how we see Grendel as a character and intensifies the mood and tone to match Gren dle’s strangled emotions. A little farther in around the beginning of chapter seven, there is another reference that uses