Please read Grendel Chapters 4 & 5.In Chapter 4, the Crab is intended to represent the concept of Dualism or Good vs. Evil. Do you agree?In Chapter 5, The Dragon is intended to represent Nihilism or Materialism. Do you agree?Please use quotes to support your answer. be prepared to discuss the week on Oct. 26-31.
Chapter 4: "The sun backs away from the world like a crab and the days grow shorter, the nights grow longer, more dark and dangerous" (46).
This quote is found on the opening page of Chapter 4. This simile has much symbolism. The sun backing away from the world is compared to a crab, which shows how it is evil. The sun represents something good and life giving, while the crab represents something evil, since it drives the sun away.
"My heart was light with Hrothgar's goodness, and leaden with grief at my own bloodthirsty ways. I backed away, crablike, further into darkness- like a crab retreating in pain when you strike two stones at the mouth of his underwater den" (48).
Grendel compares himself to a crab, and like crabs when he is hurt he goes back underwater to his cave for protection. This shows how perhaps the crab is not evil, but just misunderstood. It looks evil, but when it is hurt it backs away. Therefore, the crab represents both good and evil, since it appears evil, but really has good intentions at times like Grendel.
Chapter 5: "Vanishing away across invisible floors, there were things of gold, gems, jewels, silver vessels the color of blood in the undulant, dragon-red light" (57).
"The color of his sharp scales darkened and brightened as the dragon inhaled and exhaled slowly, drawing new air across his vast internal furnace; his razorsharp tusks gleamed and glinted as if they too, like the mountain beneath him, were formed of precious stones and metals" (57).
"He cackled so hard a brilliant tear like a giant diamond rolled down his cheek" (59).
"I snatched up an emerald the size of a fist..." (60).
Throughout Chapter 5, there is much imagery of possessions shown through the metaphor and simile above: "diamond," "emerald." The dragon also warns Grendel not to touch his things, which have great value: "Seek out gold-but not my gold-and guard it!" The dragon is greedy and Gardner makes a point of highlighting his materialism. Even the way that the dragon is described show how it represents Materialism: "his razorsharp tusks gleamed and glinted."
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