Dragon, Dragon By John Gardner: Character Analysis

Bearded dragons consume both animal matter and plant matter – they are omnivorous lizards, and in the wild, a bearded dragon can spend hours hunting and foraging to get its fill of enough nutrients to last it for the day. In captivity, it is easy to imagine that a bearded dragon will have little or no trouble getting its fill of food, because reptile keepers can just buy what the critter needs.

In the Epic Poems Beowulf, by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet, and Grendel written by John Gardner, Grendel, regardless of what he does, has been seen as unsafe to man. Grendel, perceived as treacherous, is just misunderstood and an outcast to society. The back story of Grendel is crucial to the reader’s understanding of Grendel becoming a monster. Grendel’s life experiences of his environment, men and meeting a dragon contribute to the drastic change.

In the satirical novel, “Dealing with Dragons”, written by Patricia C. Wrede it focuses on how Cimorene went against her expected routine as a Medieval princess. Cimorene was justified in ignoring the acquired social norms of the Medieval Society because, she could be independent in her own life without limits, there were endless opportunities for her, and she wouldn’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations.

One day a dragon hunter enters town and fearing for the dragon’s safety, the girl frees the dragon, but the dragon is adamant that he won't leave until he gets the dragon stone. The girl gets the dragon stone and flies away with the dragon. The dragon explains that the girl is the divinely selected individual and is the new dragon keeper. The girl who by Danzi (the dragon) is named Ping, thinks she isn't ready for this and tries to leave but she feels wrong. The dragon must travel the ocean and they face many adversities on the sojourn. Ping and Danzi travel through many towns to get

“The dragon is by the side of the road, watching those who pass. Beware lest her devour you. We go to the father of souls, but it is necessary to pass by the dragon.” (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) This quote was made famous by Flannery O’Connor’s writings. The quote is there to remind the readers that we will inevitably come across a “dragon” at some point throughout our lives. The dragon we see may take on many forms but all ending in some sort of suffering, pain, or bad decision. All the possibilities of the dragon depend upon the person facing it. O’Connor used this idea in the short stories, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” “A Late Encounter with the Enemy”, and “The Displaced Person.” These stories in particular illustrate the same type of dragon, the dragon of temptation. In Flannery O’Connor’s short stories the symbolism of the dragon is used to carry a theme of temptation throughout the plot.

entertainment. There are many precedents for dragons in medieval literature, two of the most prominent

The genre of this novel is adventure. The novel’s purpose is to entertain. The audience for this novel is all genders, ages 6-13.

Throughout the history of man, humans have been faced with the decision to either follow the path of morality or the path of evil. Especially in the case of choices, fortitude becomes necessary, as one cannot give in to their inner demons. In the book Grendel, by John Gardner, the quote, “My advice to you, my violent friend, is to seek out gold and sit on it” (74) shows the true purpose of the Dragon - to demonstrate the path of malice: the path of disinterest. Also, the Dragon shows little to know caring for others, especially in the case of overall interest in the happenings of the world. This idea of indifference plays tricks in Grendel’s mind, which makes sense, as dragons through literature represent evil, greed, and violence, making this character the perfect foil for Grendel.

The story begins with the description of a deep night and two men bent by their lonely fire. These men are speaking about a strange, mysterious creature, which seems to ruin everything on its way. They are talking about a dreadful dragon, which is described with much detail: “This dragon, they say his eyes are fire. His breath a white gas; you can see him bum across the dark lands”, “Passing, the black brunt of its shoulder smashed the remaining horse and rider a hundred feet against the side of a boulder, wailing, wailing, the dragon shrieking, the fire all about, around, under it, a pink, yellow, orange sun-fire with

First published in 1971, Grendel, written by John Gardner, elaborates on the beast from the classic epic poem Beowulf. Grendel, a large beast in the land of the Danes, has been engaged in a twelve-year long war against the humans. Gardner’s book expounds upon the origins and life of Grendel and why he acted like he did throughout Beowulf. In Grendel, the main character meets and talks to the Dragon, who gives him advice and winds up having a greater impact than either of the two characters had expected. Throughout the book, this conversation between the two characters leads to the Dragon putting a charm on Grendel, Grendel killing more humans, and it helps to illuminate the theme of monsters and humans in the book.

The novel “Grendel” by John Gardner can be seen as reconstruction of “Beowulf” an epic tale with the considered beast showing his innocence and loneliness. The novel and the epic are models where there are two point of views on a main situation. In “Grendel” the monster is someone who is lost through the words of the Shaper and the Dragon, and is trying to fit in and make friends. Due to the words of the Dragon Grendel is able to be comfortable with being seen as a monster and takes on the role of a villain. Through the novel one can see how the author express himself after being involved with the death of his brother. John Gardner’s novel, “Grendel” can be seen as a reflection of the author’s life involving the death of his younger brother through the way the characters act and specific details, Grendel’s interactions with his mom, and the ideology and principles.

Geoff Colvin, the author of What It Takes to Be Great, once stated “Greatness isn’t handed to anyone; it requires a lot of hard work.” This statement is undeniable because it is proven multiple times in the story, “The Smallest Dragonboy” by Anne McCaffrey, the Duracell advertisement with Derrick Coleman, and the article, “What It Takes to Be Great,” by Colvin himself. Deliberate practice will greatly improve their adroitness on one’s field of profession and perseverance will play a great role on achieving one’s goals. Talent is insignificant compared to determination and meticulous practice. Colvin’s claim on how success is only achieved with perseverance and certitude is indubitable.

A: Like the author of my research paper, I perceive that Grendel’s beliefs led to his downfall. The dragon in chapter 5 parallels and contrasts the dragon in the final chapter. The inclusion of the Beowulf-dragon conveys Gardner’s opinion - that Grendel’s beliefs can cause one’s downfall, particularly because the Beowulf-dragon killed Grendel.

“A kingdom is in turmoil as the old King Roland dies and its worthy successor, Prince Peter, must do battle to claim what is rightly his. Plotting against him is the evil Flagg and his pawn, young Prince Thomas. Yet with every plan there are holes – like Thomas’s terrible secret. And the determined Prince Peter, who is planning a daring escape from his imprisonment…” (very first page)

What elements in the story “The Dragon” represent the Freudian Conscious mind? 
Make sure to provide quotes and references from the story to support your answer. (3 Marks)
Throughout the short story, it is evident that at times the psychiatrist retreats to his conscious state often. This is shown when the psychiatrist unwittingly sits in Kirk’s chair and looked at his office as if it were his first time there. Unknowingly the psychiatrist had “moved around to the other side of the circle and lowered himself into Kirk’s chair”. This shows his conscious mind making decisions revealing his true feelings, that the psychiatrist deeply relates to Kirk and can easily put himself in Kirk’s shoes.