Popular Culture Review Vol. 11, No. 1, February 2000 | Page 109

Grendel, Geisel, and the Grinch 101 fingers convey the calculating attitude of this enemy. Correspondences can be found in the Beowulf-pocVs description of Grendel, who has steely claws (984-87a) and out of whose eyes shines forth “a light unfair, most like a flame” (726b-27) as he “laughs” in his mind (730b) in anticipation of committing his detestable deed. Devilish as he is though, the Grinch pales in comparison to Grendel in terms of the evil intended or the crimes actually committed. Grendel is a killer, a demon — a cannibalistic enemy of both God and man. He is a damned descendant of Cain for whom there is no hope of redemption and for whom the poet will allow no pity. In contrast, the Grinch is guilty of lesser offenses: thievery of goods, not men; lying to little Cindy-Lou Who; and perhaps cruelty to animals (his dog Max and the mouses in the Whos' houses). Furthermore, we can sense from the very start that the Grinch has a degree of goodness in him: he has a heart, but it’s “two sizes too small.” Implicit in this phrasing is the potential for growth — that the heart may develop and the Grinch become a better, kinder being. Indeed, this turns out to be the case, as the Grinch eventually learns something about the true meaning of Christmas and his heart grows “three sizes.” A reformed individual, he returns the stolen goods and is welcomed to the feast, where he actually becomes the guest of honor, carving the roast at the community table. A lthough G rendel — because o f his condem ned situation and uncompromisingly hostile nature (154b-56) — can never share in the festivities at Heorot, what Geisel’s Grinch learns is the very lesson that the Beowulf-poet is stressing in his story, but i