John Gardner's novel Grendel give the reader a new perspective on the classic 'good vs. Evil' plot. From the start of the book the reader can tell that there is something very unique about the narrator. It is evident that the narrator is a very observant being that can express himself in a very poetic manner. The story is one the reader has most likely seen before, the battle between the glorious thanes and the …showed first 75 words of 866 total…

…showed last 75 words of 866 total…seen the truth behind some of their actions. The story of humans being the light side of all that is good and evil is one that is told throughout the ages. The novel Grendel, however, shows us that this is not necessarily true. Grendel defines the humans as the 'evil' ones simply by bringing out the true nature of humanity. It is a pity that we, as a race, have no Grendel to define us.