Dialogue says it all! Grace Becker

When it comes to how a character is portrayed,  the point of view plays a major role. However, the dialogue spoken reveals many key points as well. For example, in Grendel by John Gardner, and the epic, Beowulf, the character Grendel, is presented in two completely different ways. In Beowulf we are given the image that Grendel is a dark, monstrous, beast. We never are informed of Grendel's voice in this story or what he thinks. Therefore, we automatically are forced to believe the story told from this perspective. Because of this, we are not able to look at Grendel with sympathy and can only see him as evil and heartless. In Grendel, we are able to hear Grendel's voice and see his thoughts, helping the reader understand the perspective of Grendel more clearly. At one point in the story of Grendel, he says, "'Why can't I have someone to talk to?' I said. The stars said nothing, but I pretended to ignore the rudeness" (Gardner 53). Grendel's alienation from the rest of society makes him feel alone and like an outcast to his surroundings. Due to this, and the fact that the people attack Grendel while he is helplessly innocent, is what leads to Grendel to his evil and aggressive behavior. We would never know the true side of Grendel if it wasn't expressed through his words in the story Grendel.