In Part XI, Grandoine's encounter with Roland can be seen as dramatization of all the worthy, ideal aspects of Roland's character as an individual, as well as his metaphoric value as a symbol of Christianity. In the same way as Grandoine and the rest of the Saracens quail and flee, the poem suggests that all non-Christians, when faced with righteousness like Roland's, will be vanquished. Moments later, the death of Roland, implies that such losses are temporary...... and that ultimately Christian righteousness will win out in the way dramatized throughout the poem.
The Song of Roland