Jason Chiu, Period 7, 3/11/2024

Jason Chiu
Period 7
3/11/2024
Modern Mythology 2024

Nihilism in Grendel by John Gardner

   In the book Grendel by John Gardner the topic of nihilism is a recurring theme throughout the story, first introduced by the Dragon in chapter 5. The Dragon has an argument with Grendel in which the Dragon claims life has no inherent meaning. He tells Grendel to act like the villain that the people think he is. That his war with the Thanes at the mead hall has driven them to make great advancements in many fields, notably for Grendel in the realm of the arts. Throughout the rest of the book he keeps the words of the Dragon in the back of his mind, constantly being reminded about what he was told. Grendel observes many of the people attached to Hrothgar, including Unferth, the Shaper, and Ork. Unferth is one of Hrothgar’s best warriors who has aspirations for being a great hero, yet he killed his brother to gain power, the Shaper is a musician and storyteller who makes up elaborate stories about the history of Hrothgar’s kingdom and the evil of the beast Grendel while Ork is an old blind priest, persistent in his belief in the old Gods made of stone and wood. As Grendel observes these people he notices all the things that drive them in their lives and is at times angry about his lack of purpose in comparison to them. He attempts to break Unferth’s will, choosing to not give him a hero’s death and sparing him at each one of his raids. The Shaper dies of old age and Grendel laments on the ways he could’ve tortured him and reflects on the power weaved into each of the Shaper’s stories. By pretending to be one of the gods worshiped by Ork, Grendel learns of the power religion can have in contributing to the purpose of one’s life. This is also exemplified in his interactions with various horned animals. They all are stubborn in their ways, especially the goat climbing up the hill. Grendel is jealous of what they have, how they can be satisfied being so stupid and living such dull lives. He wanders aimlessly trying to fill his life with any purpose that he can yet finds it all to be so stupid. The war he started with Hrothgar is a major example of this. For twelve years Grendel visited and attacked Hrothgar’s mead hall, killing many people in the process. Even though he is an enemy of the Thanes, he spends much of his time listening to their conversations or observing them from afar. He wonders why they do the things they do, such as when he watches a man cheat on wife even though he has kids with her. Nihilism in Grendel is often answered with existentialism, accepting that there is no meaning or purpose to life yet individuals must create their own meaning or purpose. Although the Dragon is one of the most nihilistic characters in the novel, he still tells Grendel that his life is what he makes of it and if the humans makes him out to be a monster, then he should be a monster.

Evan Lu, Period 1, 2/29/24

Evan Lu Period 1 2/29/24

Modern Mythology 2024

One current event that revolves around oppression is in Origin High School in Sheepshead Bay where some kids were hating and being anti semitic. Students told a jewish teacher they wished she was killed and there was a video of a student with a hitler mustache doing the nazi salute. The school is 40% middle eastern and muslim and they probably were taught at a young age to be antisemitic. The principal is not taking action and the Administration at Origin highschool continuously downplayed the antisemitism. THe new York Post reviewed four school incident reports — including one on the teen who posed as Hitler, and two describing harassment of Jewish teachers; with kids telling one “they don’t like Jewish people” and another that “they love Hitler.” All the incidents were initially classified as harassment based on “race, color, creed, religion,” etc. but the reports state  “No” as to whether they were “Bias Related.” If it was bias-motivated, the superintendent and NYPD would be called, and the students could have received an out-of-school suspension. But, they received only a phone call to their parents. An 18-year-old senior attending Professional Pathways, an alternative school co-located in the building, said Origins students’ antisemitic terror stems from being exposed to the “Free Palestine” movement and protests against Israel. “It’s like another way of protesting,” the student said about the hateful actions. “That’s what people who protest do — they start rioting, they start writing stuff, throwing stuff.” “They just love their country and they take it to the extreme — which isn’t that bad until it’s taken to places where it shouldn’t be brought, like all that Nazi stuff,” he added.

I think the last part, free Palestine is shown a lot throughout social media and recently Aaron Bushnell killed himself outside the Israeli embassy in Washington shouting "Free Palestine" and it was all over social media. I also believe that although protesting is ok, it shouldn’t be anti semitic or racist. I believe it could have been a peaceful protest, for example a school walk out instead of death threats and antisemitism. I feel like what they did was wrong and hating is not a good way to protest or voice your opinion.
I believe that we should “Free Palestine," as over 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives to Israel. Seeing Aaron Bushnell's immolation in protest, it reminds of just how many have. Although, death threats and antisemitism might not be the correct way to protest as these people have nothing to do with Israel killing Palestinians over the Gaza strip, it is evident to me as to why they would make connections between the "perpetrators" and semitic groups. Seeing "Free Palestine" on social media, I believe social media being partially correct because Israel has basically committed genocide and these students in highschool decided that they would "protest" by being anti-Semitic.

Works Cited:

https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/26/aaron-bushnell-air-force-video-fire-protest/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/29/middleeast/gaza-death-toll-30000-israel-war-hnk-intl/index.html

https://nypost.com/2024/03/09/us-news/students-at-nyc-high-school-terrorized-antisemitic-teens-blame-social-media/

Chris Muller, 2/9/24

Vikings: Bloodthirsty Warriors or Settled Farmers?

Think of a Viking man. You probably thought of a bearded warrior, clad in furs with a sturdy ax, raiding and pillaging along the coasts of the North Sea. However, this is not the complete Viking. Vikings were also farmers, traders, craftsmen, and state-builders. In fact, the majority of Norse people were not vikings at all! Viking comes from the old Norse word víkingr, meaning “pirate” or “raider”. A Viking, therefore, is someone who raids, in the same way a banker is one who banks.

So what did the Norse people do other than “go Viking’? Firstly, they farmed. Most Norse people produced enough food to sustain themselves and whoever else lived on their farm, with the remainder going to trade. The Norse also kept livestock, from cattle to goats. Harsh winters and subpar soil made farming difficult compared to the breadbaskets that were France and Egypt, but the Norse got by. Most Vikings also farmed; The raiding “season” in which most pillaging was conducted was the early summer, as temperatures were warm and weather favorable. This left enough time to return for the harvest, and remain at home for the winter before planting in the spring.

Secondly, the Norse were phenomenal craftspeople, particularly in smithing. Norse steel was of a quality not seen again until the modern day. Such “Ulfberht '' swords were viewed to have near-supernatural power. They were so well-regarded that counterfeits were found, likely to piggy-back off the marketing power the swords held. They were also proficient in leatherwork, sodwork, woodwork, and various other types of crafting.

Thirdly, Norsemen were some of the most prolific traders of the time. Using their seafaring prowess, the Norse plowed deep into Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Norse outposts have been found as far as Sicily and the Black Sea. They traded goods such as silver, slaves, and finished products all across Europe. They did this by using rivers and other navigable waters to push deeper inland than any other single group could.

So why do the Norse people have such a bloody reputation? It all comes down to who’s writing the legends. Farmers did not have the money to commission myths to be written about farming. However, kings and conquerors did. Therefore, they glorified battle in order to galvanize people to fight for them. Also, other cultures wrote extensively about Viking raids because that is what they primarily remembered of the Norse people. The trading side of them was disregarded because traders weren’t particularly notable, but the guys who came and burned down your farm and took your silver definitely are.

I hope that I’ve encouraged you to reevaluate your views on the Norse people, from a depiction of a solely violent and rabid people, to a more well rounded viewpoint of warriors, farmers, and craftsmen.

Sofia Mykytenko, 2/8/24, Period 7

Sofia Mykytenko
Period 7
12/21/23
Modern Mythology 2023

Research Paper

Imagine charging into battle, not clad in armor, but in a frenzy of raw strength and wildness, your only protection being your own skin. This was the way of the berserkers, legendary warriors of the Viking Age, whose name has become synonymous with uncontrollable fury. The term "berserk" originated from a form of combat practiced by these Norse fighters. They would discard their armor and clothes and embrace their primal instincts as they hurled themselves into the chaos of battle. Fuelled by rage and fearless of death, they struck terror into the hearts of both friend and foe. Legends even speak of berserkers possessing the strength and ferocity of bears, biting their shields in fits of pure rage. The name itself, "berserk," is thought to derive from "bear-shirt," suggesting they may have worn animal pelts instead of armor. Others believe that they were nicknamed to be bears due to their fierceness and strength as warriors.

The psychological impact of their nakedness was profound, instilling fear in those who faced them. It symbolized their utter disregard for personal safety and their dedication to Odin, a war god, offering their lives and bodies to the battlefield. Scholars speculate about the source of their berserker rage, proposing theories ranging from self-induced hysteria to the consumption of mind-altering substances like hallucinogenic mushrooms or henbane. These substances, with their ability to induce altered states of consciousness and perceived increased strength, offer potential explanations for the berserkers' legendary ferocity.

While Amanita Muscaria mushrooms are known for their hallucinogenic properties, and have been thought to be the culprit to their ferocity, henbane emerges as a more plausible candidate due to its prevalence in Scandinavia during the berserker era. In addition to hallucinogenic effects, henbane would improve berserker’s combat abilities, as its physical effects include lowered pain sensitivity and numbness, giving berserkers a sense of invulnerability and fearlessness, and low blood pressure, making them bleed less from wounds. In addition, henbane usage has been known to induce episodes of intense anger, making it an overall better fit than A. Muscaria.

However, much of this remains speculative, as conclusive evidence is lacking. Future research may shed light on the true nature of these legendary warriors and the substances that fueled their fury. Norse culture esteemed the qualities of bravery, ferocity, and selflessness that these berserkers demonstrated. According to Norse mythology, those who die honorably in battle may get chosen by Odin, the almighty god, to reside in Valhalla. At this magnificent hall, these warriors train with each other in the afterlife to prepare to fight alongside Odin at the battle of Ragnarok, a foretold event that will destroy the world. Norse mythology likely shaped the desire for these berserkers to consume hallucinogens to enhance their performance in combat and even be willing to die in battle.

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica. “How Vikings Went into a Trancelike Rage before Battle.” Wired, Conde Nast, 21 Sept. 2019, www.wired.com/story/how-vikings-went-into-trancelike-rage-before-battle/.
Milligan, Mark. “The Viking Berserker.” HeritageDaily, 17 Aug. 2023, www.heritagedaily.com/2022/12/the-viking-berserker/145605.
Riphagen, Joyce. “Vikings Might Have Gone Berserk with Magic Mushrooms, Historians Say.” Vikings Might Have Gone Berserk with Magic Mushrooms, Historians Say - The Daily Cardinal, 10 Nov. 2022, www.dailycardinal.com/article/2022/11/vikings-might-have-gone-berserk-with-magic-mushrooms-historians-say.
Tetzner, Noah. “Valhalla: How Viking Belief in a Glorious Afterlife Empowered Warriors.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, 3 Mar. 2021, www.history.com/news/viking-valhalla-valkyrie-afterlife.

Lily Januszka, Period 7, 3/5/2024

Lily Januszka, Period 7, 3/5/24

Modern Mythology 2024

Research Paper

Throughout our class, we’ve connected multiple units to deepen our understanding of our readings. One of these connections we frequently make in class is the connection between Cain and Grendel. Grendel, noted in Beowulf to be a direct descendant of Cain, can link his suffering back to Cain in the growing religious society that springs around him.

The story of Cain and Abel was one that we had discussed in our Ancient World unit as well as our current Grendel unit. Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd. When the time came to provide a sacrifice to God, Abel sacrificed his best sheep as his offering, while Cain did not provide his best crops. God favored Abel’s sacrifice, which filled Cain with a rage of jealousy. He murdered his brother in his blind jealousy, which was considered the first kill that forever tainted humanity, just as Adam and Eve’s mistrust and mistake condemned humanity to a life of hardship. When confronted by God, Cain denied knowing his brother’s whereabouts, and because of this, God knew he held no remorse. God punished Cain, casting him out of his home and condemning his descendants to always carry his burden. Cain could never grow crops again, destroying his livelihood, and was sentenced to wander the land.

Cain is considered the villain of his story, the embodiment of sin and cruelty. In this, he greatly relates to Grendel, who serves as the “villain” to Hrothgar’s people. Cain also bears the Mark of Cain. While given to protect him from others who would seek to kill him, it also brands him as a kinslayer, forever bringing shame to him and his descendants. He is judged at first glance, just as Grendel is. Both are seen as an opposite to God - Cain defies God, in some stories actively preaching against him, while Grendel is seen as the darkness to God and humanity’s light, the scapegoat for the new, shining religion. This is the role given to Grendel, whether he chooses to pursue it or not. It is his destiny, as no one else will ever see him otherwise. They serve as the darkness that lifts humanity to greater heights, a stepping stone towards enlightenment.

Both Cain and Grendel are also killers, marking them as sinners by nature. This makes them fundamentally evil, scorned by God. Cain kills his brother, and on top of that, lies about it to cover himself, showing little remorse for his actions. Grendel kills for the simple pleasure of killing the wretched humans. They were considered the stains upon humanity, and were branded for it. Shame followed them, from Grendel’s hideous appearance to the Mark of Cain. The Mark of Cain was interpreted in many ways. Mostly, it was seen as mercy from God, preventing anyone from killing Cain. However, it also marks him as a killer, a weight his descendants had to bear. Some believe that the mark was leprosy, as lepers were avoided like the plague and shunned from society, while others believed it to be colored skin. This perspective encouraged racism, as it would make all black people “descendants of Cain,” and therefore “lesser beings” that carry great sin. Grendel is branded a monster from his birth, and even before he attacks the mead hall, he is treated wearily by humans, constantly seen as a danger. He is seen as “lesser” for he cannot understand what humans say, and is even told by the Dragon that he is lesser because of his lack of foresight and intelligence.

Both are also very isolated individuals throughout their life. Cain was not favored by God, causing great jealousy, while Grendel was abandoned by God, with no real place in the new religion. Cain was banished from his home, forced to wander the earth. He could never plant again, as his land and hands were forever tainted with his brother’s blood. This took away his livelihood, but more importantly, his purpose in life. He could no longer be a farmer, so he lost his purpose as a son, a brother, and later a husband. He traveled the world in a state of inbetween, his only destiny to be shunned by society as a murderer. Similarly, Grendel goes throughout the story searching for his purpose, and trying to avoid it when he learns of it. He doesn’t have a purpose for himself, only to be the villain in the humans’ heroic story. No one can understand him, and he constantly feels alone in the world. He doesn’t want to become a villain quite yet, and yearns for a greater meaning in his life other than to die at the sword of a “hero.” 

Cain’s history is greatly reflected in Gardener’s telling of Grendel. The impact of such a significant biblical story can be seen throughout literature. Grendel follows Cain’s path, destined for a doomed fate.

Biblical allusion: Beowulf’s Grendel in relation to Cain. (2014). Retrieved from https://nickbonds.wordpress.com/biblical-allusion-beowulfs-grendel-in-relation-to-cain/

Mark of Cain. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/mark-of-cain/

Mazzalongo, M. (1970a). The punishment of Cain. Retrieved from https://bibletalk.tv/the-punishment-of-cain

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.

Andrew Neria, Period 1, 2/27/2024

Robert moses

redlining in the bronx

non bus to prevent low class

oppressive infrastructure/government since old


Our lesson on March 5th included the analysis something as simple as traffic. Using context from prior knowledge and other pieces of literature we’ve read in other English courses, we were able to recognize oppressive sentiment built into systems such as car-based infrastructure. It was astonishing to think about; even something as straight-cut and mathematical as urban planning could underscore maliciousness towards minorities living in our city.

We learned about redlining, a practice that flagged certain areas of New York as “high-risk” and others as “desirable.” This practice led to the severe under-funding of minority communities, leading to a steep divide in family income, education, and general life expectancy. I drew back on my prior knowledge of the Cross Bronx Expressway. Built between 1948 and 1972, the Cross Bronx Expressway was a structure that contributed immensely to the disparity between minorities in New York today. The widespread poverty was one of the worst instances if urban decay in NY history. The highway ran through entire city blocks of residential areas and businesses alike. This displaced over 60,000 people across the Bronx, leading to more intense redlining, densely populated areas, and a plethora of other long-lasting and negative effects.

Once bustling city sidewalks became ghost towns. Phrases like “The Bronx is burning” referenced the rampant cases of mass arson due tot he total economic collapse of the Bronx. Today, the Bronx, specifically South Bronx, is cited as one of the most dangerous places in NYC. The dense culture of the Bronx was smothered by roadway pollution and congestion, with statistically significant evidence that children who grow up in the Bronx are predisposed to respiratory ailments such as asthma.

The circumstances that Grendel was born into created the monster that he becomes later in the story. Although they were out of his control, his situation led him to become a deeply flawed individual. Grendel sought to replace his intense alienation with acts of evil and self-satisfaction. This cycle of violence and angst has been perpetuated time and time again in minority communities across New York. It’s easy to look down on the minorities who live in these areas, to avoid investing or just travelling through these neighborhoods. It’s hard to recognize the years of oppression built into every day life, the harmful lingering effects it left on the livelihoods of New Yorkers across the boroughs. And it’s even harder to begin rectifying these wrongdoings. Understanding the human condition through literature helps to develop compassion for those that live in our own communities: the same compassion that was missing in the development of our cities and systems years before us.


Informal cites sourced (for personal use, don’t include in the blog)

Bronx then and now: https://youtu.be/D3dyHrXo0Cc?si=XKGlbfQ9fUNuDk9_

Why CBE is always congested: https://youtu.be/7geuAFVjNOE?si=ZyLG3hhxcgauRnLv

History of the bronx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWFYeKKpBp4&list=TLPQMDcwMzIwMjRlkEoAfbkv0A&index=1