The truth is we will never know what the truth is because from the day we are born we are taught to think a certain way. To accept a one-sided truth.
Let me explain. In today's world students are told to be proud of their nation; all of this is done through propaganda. They are told to recite the pledge of allegiance, they are told that Christopher Columbus befriended the Native Americans, and that good old America has done (for the most part) nothing put spread justice and freedom. They believe that the American way is the good way, the right way, the truth.
This isn't true, as our fellow students grow up they realize this. The pledge of allegiance is tedious. Columbus didn't befriend any Natives, he instead murdered them and made them slaves. The near perfect America is now this political, nuclear monster that has killed many, many people.
The same happens to Grendel. Before meeting the dragon, Grendel had his own truth about men. He didn't really understand them, all he knew is that he disliked them and their ways. When the Shaper comes around he becomes even more confused.
The shaper is the ultimate propaganda to the Danes. He sings about their success and makes the Danes believe they are a true and good thing in the world, nothing they have done is ever bad. However Grendel's truth is that they are stupid and foolish killing just to kill and showing off their power.
Looking for answers he goes to the dragon who is the ultimate propaganda to Grendel, telling him that there is no meaning to man . Grendel then believes that everything is a machine, things do things because they are programmed to do so. This new truth was influenced by many ideas.
Well the shaper knows that he has a job and be well taken care of if he tells the king and his people exactly what they want to hear. He's no dummy. Who are the reshapers of our day and age? How do we know the truth or is truth just an idea that is most agreeable to us? Ultimately, a lie for someone else who it doesn't agree with.
ReplyDeleteI think the truth is determined by how much faith people are willing to put into believing it. Perhaps that is why Grendel cannot understand why the old priest was so passionate about God. To the priest it is truth. Grendel can only try to grasp how the priests feel.
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