Grendel and Dry Lips

A detailed Summary of Grendel and Dry Lips


In John Gardner's Grendel, he portrays Grendel as a vicious monster at

first; only killing for pure joy. He has the feeling and intentions of a murderer. Dickie Bird Halked, of Tomson Highway's play, "Dry Lips Oughta Move To

Kapuskasing," is not a murderer though. Yet they both make similar violent

attacks on women. Dickie Bird's attack rules out the possibility that Grendel's

reason for the attack on Queen Wealtheow was out of his murderous nature.

The only other reason he would make an attack like that is because he must be

attracted to Wealtheow. The attacks on Queen Wealtheow and Nanabush/Patsy

were caused through jealousy and envy.

What attracts Grendel and Dickie Bird to Wealtheow and

Nanabush/Patsy, is their innocence and caring nature towards other people.

When Wealtheow arrived at Hrothgar's hall for the first time, she was very quiet. But as time passed, she became more comfortable with her surroundings. Her presence in the hall boosted the moral of Hrothgar's men, including Hrothgar. She made him very happy. "He would glance at his queen from time to time... each glance his smile would grow warmer for a moment." (106). Grendel

notices the high moral of Hrothgar's men and he does not like it. But


image out of his head because his feelings for her are so strong. "She was

women. They are both physically and emotionally attracted to Wealtheow and

Bird takes off from home nobody bothers to go looking for him except

The physical attack itself is also related in both instances. The common factor in both attacks is that it is centralized on the women's vagina. Grendel flies into Wealtheow's bedroom, killing several men on the way, pins her to the bed, and splits her legs open. He spread her legs so much, creating "bright tears of blood." (110). This injury now prevented her from having sex for a very long time. Since he could not have sex with her, then nobody could. He was so jealous, that he ripped her crotch, preventing her from having sex with Hrothgar. Dickie Bird's attack is exactly the same. He has the same motives as Grendel when he attacks Nanabush/Patsy. Since he cannot have sex with Nanabush/Patsy, then nobody will. "A blood stain slowly spreads across her

him like a brother. "There you are. I came out to look for you." (98). Dickie Bird has never had anybody care about him like that before. His mother is a drunk and considers him an inconvenience. Dickie Bird is jealous of Simon

is also an emotional c

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 842
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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