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What do a medieval knight, “safe” velociraptors, and a defiantly clenched fist have in common? While it might seem like the setup to a weird joke, they all showcase an important lesson about human resilience and failure. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a key story of medieval heroism but when viewing it through a postmodern lens, it challenges the strict codes of knightly honor and morality. When this story is paired with “Sure, the Velociraptors are Still on the Loose, but That’s No Reason NOT to Reopen Jurassic Park” by Carlos Greaves, Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem “Making a Fist,” and Gorillaz music video “Humility,” it becomes clear that Postmodernism exists on exposing human flaws and contradictions. By combining medieval chivalry with Postmodernist ideals like black humor, intertextuality, and fabulism, we can see how these works critique societal norms and celebrate our complex humanity.
Postmodernism in Sir Gawain and Velociraptors on the loose:
Postmodernism can be seen in Gawain's statement of “Cursed be cowardice and covetousness both, villainy and vice that destroy all virtue!” as he laments after confessing his failure to the Green Knight (ll. 352–353). This quote encapsulates the story’s moral conflict as Gawain struggles to embody a difficult idea of chivalry. His fear of death and decision to hide the magical sash symbolize a human response to impossible expectations. From a Postmodern perspective, Gawain’s guilt becomes less of a flaw and more a critique and defiance of rigid moral codes. Intertextuality ties this moment to broader medieval traditions of heroism while also questioning them. Postmodernism repurposes Gawain as a relatable figure and highlights the mistake of punishing human imperfection.
This reinterpretation connects to Greaves' satirical depiction of a CEO justifying velociraptor attacks as “part of the experience.” Both works critique societal systems that push creating a reputation over safety or morality. Where Gawain’s failure reveals his humanity, the CEO’s apathy symbolizes corporate greed. Greaves’ use of black humor like: “keeping things just below widespread public outrage levels is our gold standard,” mirrors the Green Knight’s challenge to Arthur’s knights. These moments make readers question the boundaries of honor and responsibility.
Resilience in Making a Fist and Sir Gawain
Making a Fist | The Poetry Foundation
Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem “Making a Fist” centers on a small act of defiance against mortality which is clenching a
fist. This simple action becomes a powerful symbol of resilience. Similarly, Gawain’s brave decision to face the Green Knight’s axe shows a similar act of perseverance. The opening quote by Jorge Luis Borges, “We forget that we are all dead men conversing with dead men,” connects human mortality to us as a universal experience through intertextuality. This is also seen in Gawain’s confrontation with his own limitations.
Both works use fabulism to create their themes. Nye’s imagery of “a melon split wide”(l. 6) creates a dreamlike tone that showcases the speaker’s anxiety. In Sir Gawain, the Green Knight’s terrifying survival as a headless figure blurs the line between reality and magic as fabulism is used. In the light of postmodernism, these elements encourage readers to see resilience not as heroism but as a deeply human act. Together, the poem and the story show us that courage is more often shown in how we endure with our vulnerabilities.
Blurring Boundaries in “Humility” and Sir Gawain
The Gorillaz music video for “Humility” ties animated characters to the real-world to create a surreal setting. This use of magical realism is similar to the combination of supernatural and realistic elements in Sir Gawain. The Green Knight’s imposing/vibrant appearance (“Splendid that knight errant stood in a splay of green…”(l.1) transforms him into a larger-than-life figure. Both works use fabulism to create a conflict of reality which challenges viewers and readers to question what is real.
Isolation also ties “Humility” to Sir Gawain. The speaker’s melancholic lyrics, “I don’t want this isolation,” is similar to Gawain’s solitary quest to the Green Chapel. However, where the Gorillaz self-aware tone turns into something hopeful, Gawain’s journey (through a postmodern lens) shows the isolating expectations of chivalry. Both works use Postmodern techniques like intertextuality and magical realism to change traditional narratives which make them resonate with modern day audiences.
By reinterpreting Sir Gawain and the Green Knight through a Postmodern lens, we can see its critique of societal expectations and human frailty. When juxtaposed with Greaves satire, Nye’s poem, and Gorillaz music video, the medieval story transforms into an exploration of courage, failure, and resilience. Postmodernism’s black humor, fabulism, and intertextuality create a new perspective into Gawain’s tale which proves that even old texts have something to say about our chaotic modern world. Like Gawain, we stumble, but in our imperfections, we find our path and our meaning.
