Final answer:
Grendel by John Gardner introduces Grendel in the exposition, builds tension through his interactions with humans in the rising action, reaches a climax in his battle with Beowulf, follows with reflection in the falling action, and culminates with Grendel's death in the resolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Story Structure
In Grendel by John Gardner, we're provided with a retelling of the Beowulf epic from the monster's perspective. The exposition introduces us to Grendel's world and the characters, setting the tone for the conflicts to come. The rising action is comprised of Grendel's interactions and conflicts with the humans, his reflections on existence, and his continual search for meaning. The climax occurs when Grendel faces Beowulf, in a fight that leaves Grendel mortally wounded. This is the turning point of the story where the main conflict comes to a head. Falling action follows the aftermath of this confrontation, leading to Grendel's reflection on his experiences and actions. Finally, the resolution is the end of Grendel's life, where we witness his final thoughts as he succumbs to his injuries, completing the story arc.