John Lee, Period 1, 3/8/2024

For this blog, I decided to take what we are learning in class and relate it to the socio-political state of the world as I think it is very fitting for our times. During a time such as 2024 where the future seems as uncertain as ever and governments seem to become more and more oppressive with unchecked power and corruption running rampant it almost perfectly mirrors the kingdom of Hrothgar. And with the election cycle soon coming to fruition it seems the “Shapers” of our world are manipulating our minds just as he did to Grendel. For a story told in class such as this, it seems like a perfect candidate to talk about the state of modern america.

When looking at the story Grendel, there can be many parallels drawn when looking at the corruption and hypocrisy of the government today. For example, when we look at the peasant Red Horse, when we hear some of the words he says, he perfectly encompasses the kingdom of Hrothgar and by proxy, the governments of today. He states, “Public force is the life and soul of every state: not merely army and police but prisons, judges, tax collectors, every conceivable trick of coercive repression. The state is an organization of violence, a monopoly in what it is pleased to call legitimate violence" (Gardner). When you analyze his statement and break it down, you start to get what he is saying. To him and Hrothulf, they are both disillusioned as they see the whole system in which they are a part of draws its powers through use of institutions such as the military and police to enforce compliance. To them, the wealth of the kingdom relies on the peasants yet they tax them to hell and treat them terribly. They want the peasants to live a certain way confined to the bounds of the law and society, all the while they live lavishly and fail to follow the rules themselves. They lament over the attacks of Grendel yet are willing to subject others to extreme acts of violence in the name of Hrothgar’s kingdom. Just as in the book, the same thing happens in real life. Politicians insider trade and pass unethical laws for economic gain, legislators and lawmakers tax normal people, yet fail to pay taxes themself. The US champions human rights while supporting countries who commit human rights violations themselves. The justice system, built for keeping the peace and trying criminals has obvious disparities when comparing the treatment of certain racial groups to high profile figures such as CEOs and company owners. This is just a small fraction of the examples that illustrate the hypocrisy of the state. Just like Grendel, one feels as if they see through the illusion of these power structures and sees them for what they are yet at the end of the day nothing can be done. All that is left is disdain, whether it be towards humans for Grendel or towards the government for average Americans. Reflecting onto my own life experiences, the amount of times I read the news and see yet another politician or public figure get caught for yet another corruption scheme makes one furious. Not only this, the fact that many people in high society, whether it be political figures or celebrities that visited an island known for child human trafficking is alarming and instills in one a sense of dread as one begins to see not just subtle evil but blatant evil from the people that are in power.

Not only is there gross amounts of hypocrisy in both worlds, Gardner’s Grendel also brings up the idea of coercive oppression. Coercive oppression can be defined by the less violent option to blatant violence but the idea remains almost the same. Use force to oppress those who are being ruled via societal institutions. This can be seen all throughout the kingdom of Hrothgar as seen through its use of the police to instill fear and thus exercise power over the people. Multiple times throughout Grendel the use of police force comes up as for example, the bread thief is immediately sent to be executed. This use of force implies the message that “Despite the fact that you are starving, the rules of the state come first.” This can be seen again when we see Red Horse talk about how if there is a strike for a workforce the policies typical reaction would be to “arrest a few and execute a few.” Clearly the law of the land is not through respect or duty but through fear and might, something that can be said for the governments of today, although a lot more milder and more befitting of “coercive oppression” than that of the kingdom of Hrothgar. Truly, reading Gardner’s interpretation has made me realize how the aspects of coercive oppression affect my everyday life. In fact it made me realize that I wasn't even aware I was being coercively oppressed to begin with. For example, as a New Yorker, nothing pisses me off more than having to pay for transportation. However, understandably, the government must collect money to keep the city running. What is unjust and an example of coercive oppression is the use of the congestion toll. The congestion toll is just a tax for the sake of taking money. But more importantly, it is a tool used to control the behavior of the people. To me, it screams “You will not drive a car! You will be discouraged from owning a car. You will pay the government (to do nothing) and you will be happy while doing it.” Another example that I have seen in my daily life as a form of passive coercive oppression is the use of hostile architecture. Whether it be bland buildings that look like massive prisons or park benches with annoying ergonomics meant to stop you from laying down, it seems that everywhere you go, someone is trying to modify your behavior. It is clear that through Red Horse's semi correct philosophy I have noticed that more and more aspects of my life make me seem smaller and smaller with less and less control over what actions I am permitted to do.

Finally, one of the most important characters seen throughout Gardner's Grendel, the shaper, illustrates the extent to which society and its governments hold power over not only the body but also the mind. Through the use of the Shaper, the kingdom has the ultimate power: The power to change the way people feel. Numerous times throughout the text have shown the power of the Shaper as he is able to rewrite Danish history through his crafty songs and poetry. He is able to manipulate the very fabric of what people know about their past. Through his influence he can even make a monster such as Grendel, feel a whirlwind of emotions and even bring him to try to understand and make amends with humanity. Not only does the Shaper hold power over the mind but also characters such as Red Horse. Through his conversations with Hrothulf, so too can Red Horse change the views of the impressionable humans. Acting as somewhat of a mentor, Red Horse is able to indoctrinate and shape the actions of Hrothulf through their various conversations as they walk. These 2 examples of both the Shaper and of Red Horse offer insight about the power mainstream media holds over the mind and oppressee. As seen in my own life, many times I have read the news or seen an article and the course of my mood changes. I can be uplifted, let down, enraged, and disgusted, all through the medium of the news. Even as the 2024 elections come around the corner, it seems like more and more people are going mad. Both worlds prove one truth that has become more apparent to me as I reflect on my place in society: We become what we behold. In more blunt terms, what we are surrounded by can drastically alter our actions and our thoughts. Through Gardner’s work, I feel as if there is more special attention paid to who I surround myself with and the information I consume on a daily basis.

Despite all of this new insight, sadly there is no real application you can use this information or insights to change your life. There is no “transfer.” No matter how hard you try, for the most part, you are but one person who cannot really change the systems that run the world, no matter how corrupt or terrible they are. Instead all you gain is knowledge of being an involuntary puppet on a grand stage with no way to really change the outcome. One realizes that your role on the grand stage of the world is yet another unoriginal experience in a maelstrom of other souls that reside in the institutions that keep the world afloat. Although this is true, insignificance is not always a bad thing. Just like the dragon in Grendel, one realizes that they just have to accept the nature of things and only maybe then one can use these insights. One can choose not to worry about the state of the world as there is nothing the average person can do. Maybe one can choose to try to change their small sphere of influence and live in a small world. Perhaps the best thing you can do is to not play the game at all.