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Writers Notebook prompt: Revenge

The Earlier Epic Battles ofGrendels Mother

Write your own battle

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Yesterday you read about Grendels mother attackingHereot to get revenge for her sons death.

When you think about revenge, how do you feel aboutit?

In your writers notebook, write about revenge.

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The battle you begin to write in class today, will be duetomorrow.

If you would like to buy a homecoming ticket, you cando so with me before or after class any time this week.

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By Eric Silver

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Enraged that Grendel will not be placed in honors math,Grendels mother has a parent-teacher conference with Mr.Isman.

MR. ISMAN: While Grendel is quite a bright young, um,pupil, we just dont have enough room in the honors class

for him, and we believe he will be adequately served by thestandard seventh-grade track.

GRENDELS MOTHER: Braaak! Gnarsh! She then explains that she will grasp one of the other

students in the manner of a cudgel and start swinging,

bludgeoning to death as many students as it takes untilroom opens up for her son. Mr. Isman requests a largerclassroom.

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Grendel, on winter break, returns from college with his new girlfriend,a human girl, Joyceline, from the surface, who is majoring inpsychology. Grendels mother sits sullenly at the kitchen table, hardlymaking conversation.

JOYCELINE: It must have been hard raising Grendel as a single mother,but you did such a great job.

GRENDELS MOTHER: Hmm? Oh, gnarsh. Grendel excuses himself after dinner to help his mother with the dishes

in the kitchen of her underwater lair, then asks her what the problemis. Grendels mother complains that Joyceline is not mereish, and thatshe wont take their relationship seriously, since Grendel obviously isntlooking to marry this girl. Grendel protests, but G.M. starts badgering

him, asking how hes going to bring up the children, assuming theyllswim down to her lair to visit only once or twice a year. The two argue,break dishes, and gnash their teeth at each other for a while, finallyagreeing to disagree. Tensions are still running high when they returnto the dinner table and try to enjoy the baklava, which got waterloggedon the trip down. Weeks later, Grendel tells Joyceline he doesnt think

it will work out.

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Grendels mother, an avid Oprah fan, is initially concerned about herlongtime celebrity crush, Tom Cruise, when she sees his now-famousappearance on Oprahs show. His engagement to Katie Holmes onlyexacerbates the situation, as G.M. is painfully reminded ofGrendelsfather disappearing one night after going to the store for a six-pack ofgrog, then reappearing 10 years later with a younger wife, demanding

visiting rights. Toms comments on postpartum depression, however,send her over the edge. She remembers the months after giving birth toGrendel, and how she found herself overwhelmed at home. She hadtrouble sleeping, yet often felt tired. Some days she felt like she had lostsomething that she would never get back. In the middle of devouring amans intestines, she would just walk away, unheeding of the manspained screams. One Sunday, before her weekly battle with the Times

crossword, she sits down and writes an incensed letter to Cruise,proposing that instead of talking at each other they actually sit downand discuss the issue like two adults, or at least meet and battle untilone of them has been sufficiently mauled and beaten to death. Cruisereplies with a form letter thanking her for her support, and a signedheadshot.

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When Grendels mother tries to buy 24 cans of tunausing her Buy five, get the sixth free coupon, thecashier informs her that the coupons are limited to oneper visit. Grendelsmother rips the cashiers throat outand asks to see the manager. After weeks of grapplingand much bloodshed, the manager concedes thatGrendels mother can use three coupons in this visit.Grendels mother hands the manager his severed leg

and apologizes for the confusion.

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You will now write your own earlier epic battle withGrendels mother. You will write a story whereGrendels mother is battling with someone else. Thiscan be anyone but remember to keep it schoolappropriate. Your story should be detailed and use thedifferent elements of a story (think plot line).

This is due tomorrow.