Censored Works of Literature , Beowulf, Grendel Uploaded by tyrantz on Mar 28, 2005
Over the centuries, many books have been written, and a large handful have been challenged or even banned by societies. Certain books have better reasons to be banned than others and while some of those reasons seem valid, many will seem unjustified to readers. John Gardner's Grendel, published in 1970, is a prime example of having valid reasons for banning a book. Grendel is a alternate viewpoint of the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf", written centuries ago, whose author is not known. It tells the same exact tale, the first story of Good vs. Evil, but from the villains point of view, in this case, Grendel 's. The novel describes Grendel's viewpoint and what he thinks and considers of himself and all around him. The story begins in the spring, and ends in the spring, and between those seasons, you read of how Grendel tortures men and their kingdoms all over the country-side, killing and eating, then finally meeting Beowulf for the final showdown. All these details are explained very in depth and graphically, which is a reason some have wanted to censor the book (Gonzales).
Grendel like all books have been criticized for its content, and also at the same time has been praised for its content (Grappling). When critics claim that it has much unneeded violence and graphic detail, they refer to the times Grendel terrorizing Hrothgar's kingdom, the main group of men Grendel seeks violence and death upon (Sova, 150-152). Critics also complain that Grendel's viewpoints are often nihilistic and existentialist, and they don't want kids to read such viewpoints, at least not without careful discussion within a classroom (Gonzales). Parent's often complain along with the critics, stating that the violence is senseless and overly graphic. They don't' want their children reading this, and want it out of the school curriculum (Sova. 150-152). Many of the same reasons for why the book should be banned, are some of the reasons Grendel has been praised. When critics complained of the depressing, and hateful viewpoints, supporters found them to help the book show its moral side. Supporters of Grendel often find that it is a highly moral book. Its viewpoints often share a view about the tale of Beowulf in a much different way, and extend the theme of the "Beowulf" poem's theme of "Good vs. Evil" much farther (Gonzales). The violence , and Grendel's lust for blood is another reason supporters of the book think it should not be censored or banned. It was part of the poem "Beowulf", and a great part of Grendel. The violence in the novel depicts Grendel's fantasies, and frustration with man (Grappling). Supporters say Grendel was the first villain ever in English literature, violence should be necessary, and with the viewpoints, it is most often the only way (Grappling).
The essay does not neccesarily discuss the character or the poem of Beowulf, but it does concern in, as well as the censorship of books. I find myself at a standstill here, I do agree that books that horribly violent, gorey, and possibly disgusting are definetly best to leave behind if they are not being carefull discussed. However, it does capture the persona of evil, showing that no one should be like this sort of monster. Yet I don't think we need to read of horrible scenery and see bloody images in a book, while the world has enough of that.
Though this essay speaks generally of the book Grendel rather than the story of Beowulf, it still relates to that theme. Grendel's excessive violence only adds to his reflection of evil, and the book itself should not have to be banned. In the end, to the critics who beleive Grendel's story should be banned, if your children are reading, atleast they arent doing drugs...
The author missed out on a chance to comment upon the "balance" that Grendel is suppose to offer to the tale of Beowulf. Instead, the author seems busy trying to convince the audience that censorship is not a bad thing since children are too sensitive to fully appreciate the horrors of the real world.
I can see where the author of this essay is coming from concerning all of the violence that is contained within Grendal. I believe that there is a point in which one reaches when the amount of violence is to excessive even when trying to capture the realisticness of the grusom horrors of Grendal.
This article is also on the much common theme of good vs evil. The author explains the evil-nature of Grendel and Hero-like traits of Beowulf and such. Its really hard to type in a blog in proper English. I have to keep going back and changing my "u" to you and "i" to I, etc. I was skeptical at first when this activity was brought about, but i really do enjoy it. Its homework i can do while I'm just chillin on my computer. Thanks for reading what I had to say! :)
In my opinion, there is no reason to ban Beowulf from being read in school. It is a great work of literature and should be respected by everyone. It's not easy to write a novel -- I know because I've tried, and it was very frustrating.
The author brought up really good points of why Beowulf should be banned from schools, but i believe it shouldnt be banned. Although this poem might contain violence, it teaches us the students the structures of Good V. Evil
Beowulf should not be banned from schools for many reasons. The violence may be excessive but it adds to the story and reenforces the theme of good versus evil.
The author constantly discusses the content of Beowulf. He seems to be worried about children reading the text, but no child would be able to comprehind the text.
This author seems to be very concerned with the amount of violence in the text and censorship. Beowulf should not be banned from schools due to the violence that occurs. Without it there is no apparent theme in Beowulf
I do not agree with the censorship of Grendel. Without all of the violence and gore, Beowulf not only becomes less interesting, but it also lessens the main theme of good vs evil.
Call me a dork, but I really like that the story of Beowulf has the theme good (Beowulf) versus evil (Grendel). I think that it is interesting to see the weaker side of good (when Beowulf loses the battel to the dragon) and the sympathetic side of evil (when Grendel's mother avenges her son).
I can understand the authors concern with violence in the story but i disagree that Beowulf should be banned. The violence shown through Grendel is necessary for the character. It shows how monsterous Grendel really is and how it is necessary for Beowulf to kill him. It also shows the kind of monster that Beowulf is going against.
I disagree with the criticism of the author. The author concerns on the violence presented in Beowulf he wants to band the book from schools. Without the violence in the text the theme of good vs evil will not be evident and the theme would not be taught.
There is much violence in the story of Beowulf, however not enough to completely ban it from schools. Beowulf is a very well written piece of lit that displays the theme good vs. evil throughout the entire story which is a vital theme to teach kids.
While the author brought up some interesting and reasonable points as to why the tale of Beowulf should be banned, I believe that it should not be. Beowulf is a historical poem with great importance to paganism-type society, and also depicts a major theme that occurs in many stories, the struggle of good vs. evil.
I personally think it would be interesting to see Grendel's point of view about the story. Readers typically side with the hero because it is from his viewpoint and is biased. As for censoring, if it is being read by students in high school or college, I think they are mature enough to handle violence. Permission slips can also be given
Censorship in bad. Beowulf is one of the most violent pieces of literature I have read in school, but considering the youth of today and how we are desensitized to the violence of the world, this book does not need to be banned. kids of 16 do not need to be sheltered away from any kind of literature. Especially todays kids, we need to be thrown into it. Hey, maybe Beowulf, and Gredels violence will help to intrest some kids in books alittle more.
Many people may be able to find reasons to ban books, such as the author did with Grendel, but I don't believe in the censorship of books. I believe it is wrong for someones so called "art and literature" to be banned from people reading it. The author does give reason why Grendel was banned, but I think that it should still be allowed.
Although there is alot of violence within the story of Beowulf, i do not believe it should be banned from school. It's slightly boring yes but, Beowulf is a very well written and displays the theme of good vs. evil throughout the story which I believe kids should learn.
The author consistantly discusses the content of Beowulf. He comes off as being worried about children reading the text, but no child would be able to understand and comprehend the text.
25 comments:
Censored Works of Literature , Beowulf, Grendel
Uploaded by tyrantz on Mar 28, 2005
Over the centuries, many books have been written, and a large handful have been challenged or even banned by societies. Certain books have better reasons to be banned than others and while some of those reasons seem valid, many will seem unjustified to readers. John Gardner's Grendel, published in 1970, is a prime example of having valid reasons for banning a book. Grendel is a alternate viewpoint of the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf", written centuries ago, whose author is not known. It tells the same exact tale, the first story of Good vs. Evil, but from the villains point of view, in this case, Grendel 's. The novel describes Grendel's viewpoint and what he thinks and considers of himself and all around him. The story begins in the spring, and ends in the spring, and between those seasons, you read of how Grendel tortures men and their kingdoms all over the country-side, killing and eating, then finally meeting Beowulf for the final showdown. All these details are explained very in depth and graphically, which is a reason some have wanted to censor the book (Gonzales).
Grendel like all books have been criticized for its content, and also at the same time has been praised for its content (Grappling). When critics claim that it has much unneeded violence and graphic detail, they refer to the times Grendel terrorizing Hrothgar's kingdom, the main group of men Grendel seeks violence and death upon (Sova, 150-152). Critics also complain that Grendel's viewpoints are often nihilistic and existentialist, and they don't want kids to read such viewpoints, at least not without careful discussion within a classroom (Gonzales). Parent's often complain along with the critics, stating that the violence is senseless and overly graphic. They don't' want their children reading this, and want it out of the school curriculum (Sova. 150-152). Many of the same reasons for why the book should be banned, are some of the reasons Grendel has been praised. When critics complained of the depressing, and hateful viewpoints, supporters found them to help the book show its moral side. Supporters of Grendel often find that it is a highly moral book. Its viewpoints often share a view about the tale of Beowulf in a much different way, and extend the theme of the "Beowulf" poem's theme of "Good vs. Evil" much farther (Gonzales). The violence , and Grendel's lust for blood is another reason supporters of the book think it should not be censored or banned. It was part of the poem "Beowulf", and a great part of Grendel. The violence in the novel depicts Grendel's fantasies, and frustration with man (Grappling). Supporters say Grendel was the first villain ever in English literature, violence should be necessary, and with the viewpoints, it is most often the only way (Grappling).
The essay does not neccesarily discuss the character or the poem of Beowulf, but it does concern in, as well as the censorship of books. I find myself at a standstill here, I do agree that books that horribly violent, gorey, and possibly disgusting are definetly best to leave behind if they are not being carefull discussed. However, it does capture the persona of evil, showing that no one should be like this sort of monster. Yet I don't think we need to read of horrible scenery and see bloody images in a book, while the world has enough of that.
Though this essay speaks generally of the book Grendel rather than the story of Beowulf, it still relates to that theme. Grendel's excessive violence only adds to his reflection of evil, and the book itself should not have to be banned. In the end, to the critics who beleive Grendel's story should be banned, if your children are reading, atleast they arent doing drugs...
The author missed out on a chance to comment upon the "balance" that Grendel is suppose to offer to the tale of Beowulf. Instead, the author seems busy trying to convince the audience that censorship is not a bad thing since children are too sensitive to fully appreciate the horrors of the real world.
I can see where the author of this essay is coming from concerning all of the violence that is contained within Grendal. I believe that there is a point in which one reaches when the amount of violence is to excessive even when trying to capture the realisticness of the grusom horrors of Grendal.
This article is also on the much common theme of good vs evil. The author explains the evil-nature of Grendel and Hero-like traits of Beowulf and such.
Its really hard to type in a blog in proper English. I have to keep going back and changing my "u" to you and "i" to I, etc. I was skeptical at first when this activity was brought about, but i really do enjoy it. Its homework i can do while I'm just chillin on my computer. Thanks for reading what I had to say! :)
In my opinion, there is no reason to ban Beowulf from being read in school. It is a great work of literature and should be respected by everyone. It's not easy to write a novel -- I know because I've tried, and it was very frustrating.
I agree with Kevin, in many of the articles I have read about it, Grendel adds a balance. Which is the evil, so its good (Beowulf) v. evil (Grendel.)
The author brought up really good points of why Beowulf should be banned from schools, but i believe it shouldnt be banned. Although this poem might contain violence, it teaches us the students the structures of Good V. Evil
Beowulf should not be banned from schools for many reasons. The violence may be excessive but it adds to the story and reenforces the theme of good versus evil.
The author constantly discusses the content of Beowulf. He seems to be worried about children reading the text, but no child would be able to comprehind the text.
This author seems to be very concerned with the amount of violence in the text and censorship. Beowulf should not be banned from schools due to the violence that occurs. Without it there is no apparent theme in Beowulf
I do not agree with the censorship of Grendel. Without all of the violence and gore, Beowulf not only becomes less interesting, but it also lessens the main theme of good vs evil.
Call me a dork, but I really like that the story of Beowulf has the theme good (Beowulf) versus evil (Grendel). I think that it is interesting to see the weaker side of good (when Beowulf loses the battel to the dragon) and the sympathetic side of evil (when Grendel's mother avenges her son).
I have to agree with Scott on this one. The violince and gore helped the story of Beowulf not be so boring. And kelly, you're a dork.
I can understand the authors concern with violence in the story but i disagree that Beowulf should be banned. The violence shown through Grendel is necessary for the character. It shows how monsterous Grendel really is and how it is necessary for Beowulf to kill him. It also shows the kind of monster that Beowulf is going against.
I disagree with the criticism of the author. The author concerns on the violence presented in Beowulf he wants to band the book from schools. Without the violence in the text the theme of good vs evil will not be evident and the theme would not be taught.
There is much violence in the story of Beowulf, however not enough to completely ban it from schools. Beowulf is a very well written piece of lit that displays the theme good vs. evil throughout the entire story which is a vital theme to teach kids.
While the author brought up some interesting and reasonable points as to why the tale of Beowulf should be banned, I believe that it should not be. Beowulf is a historical poem with great importance to paganism-type society, and also depicts a major theme that occurs in many stories, the struggle of good vs. evil.
I personally think it would be interesting to see Grendel's point of view about the story. Readers typically side with the hero because it is from his viewpoint and is biased. As for censoring, if it is being read by students in high school or college, I think they are mature enough to handle violence. Permission slips can also be given
Censorship in bad. Beowulf is one of the most violent pieces of literature I have read in school, but considering the youth of today and how we are desensitized to the violence of the world, this book does not need to be banned. kids of 16 do not need to be sheltered away from any kind of literature. Especially todays kids, we need to be thrown into it. Hey, maybe Beowulf, and Gredels violence will help to intrest some kids in books alittle more.
Many people may be able to find reasons to ban books, such as the author did with Grendel, but I don't believe in the censorship of books. I believe it is wrong for someones so called "art and literature" to be banned from people reading it. The author does give reason why Grendel was banned, but I think that it should still be allowed.
I believe that the epic of Beowulf in itself provides a great wealth of material to discuss in any classroom.
Although there is alot of violence within the story of Beowulf, i do not believe it should be banned from school. It's slightly boring yes but, Beowulf is a very well written and displays the theme of good vs. evil throughout the story which I believe kids should learn.
The author consistantly discusses the content of Beowulf. He comes off as being worried about children reading the text, but no child would be able to understand and comprehend the text.
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