Differences And Similarities Between Frankenstein And Grendel

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The feeling of being an outsider, of being a part of the world around oneself but never truly belonging grows over a period of time. Being harassed and condemed for simply being alive. Being viewed not as a creature of the earth, but as a monster, feeds the hatred that lies within the soul. In the novels Frankenstein and Grendel, both characters are portrayed as less than alive, monsters that have no place in the world. Outsiders who turn their lonliness and pain into hatred for others, with killing being their only source of pleasure. Grendel and Frankenstein are largely ignored by man-kind, seen as burdons that have no right to live because of their physical and mental handicaps. Surprisingly Grendel is the best at adapting to the world around him. By living in caves, he is able to stay detached from the rest of the world, yet he still makes attempts to associate with members of civilization. At night, Grendel goes to Herot to listen to the Sharper, thoroughly enjoying the stories he hears. The people of Herot, however, do not welcome Grendel's presence in the least. When he is taunted and …show more content…

The "monster" feels as if he has already been judged, and that even if he made the effort to garner some affection, he would completely and utterly fail in doing so. Eventually, Frankenstein travels to the North Pole in order to further isolate himself from the world around him. This isolation works for a while, until Frankenstein comes to the realization that Dr. Frankenstein, his "father", has followed him in the hopes of pushing him off the edge of the world. While Grendel's torture was physically, Frankenstein is mentally tortured instead. The world around him makes it clear that he is not wanted, nor is he accepted. He is made to believe that seclusion is exactly what he deserves, because society has seen fit to show him that noone else could ever care for him or want