Grendel Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

When does Chapter 2 take place?

Some unspecified time in the past during Grendel's first exposure to the Human World.

How did Grendel find the human world?

By breaking the surface of the water and exploring further each night.

What does Grendel realize about humans?

They seem to look past him or through him; only his mother truly looks at him.

Who is the only one who truly looks at Grendel?

His mother looks at him with an intense gaze as if she and Grendel are one being/entity. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Grendel bawls and hurls himself at his mother?

His mother responds by smashing him to her breast as if to make him part of her flesh again. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Grendel is lured to the human world by the smell of a newborn calf and gets trapped in a tree?

A bull charges Grendel and rips his leg. Signup and view all the answers

What do the humans think when they see Grendel in the tree?

First they think Grendel is a kind of fungus, but then they decide he must be a tree spirit and want to feed him pig. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Grendel sees the humans planning an attack on him?

Grendel realizes humans are smart, and therefore more dangerous than any creatures he has thus far encountered. Signup and view all the answers

Who saves Grendel from the humans' attack?

His mom. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Grendel Chapter 2 Overview

Chapter 2 is set during Grendel's initial encounters with the human world, occurring in an undefined period of the past.
Grendel discovers the human world by breaking through the water's surface and exploring nightly.

Grendel's Perception of Humans

Grendel observes that humans tend to ignore him, often seeming to look through him; his mother is the only one who genuinely sees him.

Maternal Connection

Grendel's mother is depicted as the only being who gazes at him with intensity, conveying a deep bond as if they are one entity.

Emotional Interaction

When Grendel expresses distress by throwing himself at his mother, she comforts him by enveloping him in her embrace, which allows him to resume his explorations.

Encounter with Humans

Lured by the scent of a newborn calf, Grendel finds himself trapped in a tree, leading to a bull attacking him and injuring his leg.

Human Misinterpretation

The humans first mistake Grendel for a type of fungus before concluding he must be a spirit of the tree and attempt to offer him food.

Understanding of Human Intelligence

Grendel realizes that humans are clever and pose a greater threat than any other beings he has faced prior, indicating a shift in his perception of danger.

Rescue from Danger

Grendel's mother comes to his aid during a human attack, highlighting her protective nature.

Description

Explore key concepts from Chapter 2 of 'Grendel' with these flashcards. Each card highlights significant moments and realizations by Grendel as he encounters the human world. Ideal for students studying the text or preparing for discussions.