John Gardner's novel "Grendel" which parallels the epic poem Beowulf.

The cynic is one who never sees a good lumber in a man, and never fails to see a middling one. He is a human owl, vigilant in darkness, and blind to light, mousing for vermin, and never seeing noble game (Henry Beecher). In washbowl Gardners novel Grendel, a modern twist on the epic poem Beowulf, the Dragon epitomizes this definition of cynicism. Mr. Dragon harbors scorn towards his inferiors and so uses mockery and sarcasm to ridicule them. Mr. Dragon shows contempt and freeze off towards creatures he finds despicable and trivial. This scornful attitude reveals itself when Grendel says, [the dragon] laughed, spoke, and broke my croak non as a kindness to me but because of his stale frolic in knowing what he knew (62). The Dragon realizes that his keenness to see into the future and read minds makes him superior, and therefore puzzles cold pleasance from being able to read vulnerable creatures minds. He uses this submit to taunt others and make them feel inf erior. Mr. Dragon tells Grendel, You now, you see the past and the present like other low creatures (62). He not only rubs it in that Grendel does not posses his omniscience, but also uses the gesture word low. The Dragon constantly uses such terms with Grendel, and peculiarly when describing humans.

He patronizes humans as lower minds (66), and mere theory-makers (64) and views them as pests. The Dragon scorns the peoples beliefs and their intellect, which presents itself when Mr. Dragon tells Grendel, [the humans] only esteem that they come back (64). He further looks down upon the humans minds when he describes the impact of the scopes in effect(p) lies on the people and says, as for myself, I can scantily bear t! o look (65). Mr. Dragon sees the humans stupidity in... If you want to look at a full essay, order it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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