Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Cover Image

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

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Discussion Topic

Annabeth and Grover's loyalty and friendship to Percy in The Lightning Thief

Summary:

Annabeth and Grover demonstrate loyalty and friendship to Percy in The Lightning Thief through their constant support and willingness to face danger alongside him. Annabeth uses her intelligence and bravery to help Percy on their quest, while Grover provides emotional support and protection, highlighting the strength and importance of their bond.

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In chapter 19 of The Lightning Thief, how do Annabeth and Grover show loyalty to Percy?

In chapter nineteen, Annabeth and Grover follow Percy to Elysium, almost get sucked into Tartarus, and finally enter the palace of Hades together. But in order to leave the Underworld, they need to use the pearls—and they only have three of them. Percy's mom is there, which means they would need four pearls in order for all four of them to leave. Hades explains Percy's predicament:

"What a shame. You do realize each only protects a single person. Try to take your mother, then, little godling. And which of your friends will you leave behind to spend eternity with me? Go on. Choose. Or give me the backpack and accept my terms."

Annabeth and Grover are not afraid. They prove their loyalty to their friend by volunteering to remain in the Underworld so Percy can save his mom. First Grover offers to stay behind:

"I'm a satyr," Grover said. "We don't have souls like humans do. He can torture me until I die, but he won't get me forever. I'll just be reincarnated as a flower or something. It's the best way."

Annabeth explains that Percy will need Grover to protect him, so she should be the one to stay. She is willing to die for her friends:

"Get his mom out of here. I'll cover you. I plan to go down fighting."

Annabeth and Grover both show extreme bravery and loyalty. Percy reflects on how they have been loyal to him this whole time.

"Stop it, both of you!" I felt like my heart was being ripped in two. They had both been with me through so much. I remembered Grover dive-bombing Medusa in the statue garden, and Annabeth saving us from Cerberus; we'd survived Hephaestus's Waterland ride, the St. Louis Arch, the Lotus Casino. I had spent thousands of miles worried that I'd be betrayed by a friend, but these friends would never do that. They had done nothing but save me, over and over, and now they wanted to sacrifice their lives for my mom.

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How do Annabeth and Grover prove their friendship to Percy in The Lightning Thief?

Annabeth and Grover prove to Percy that they are his real friends many times throughout Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief. From the start of their quest to the moment when they show their support and solidarity during his battle with Ares, they grow closer and closer as the story progresses until there is no doubt that they are true friends.

When Percy first meets Annabeth, he doesn't receive the warmest of welcomes. In fact, her first words to him are playfully critical: "You drool when you sleep." While giving him the tour of Camp Half Blood, she admonishes his curiosity and ignorance. When Percy is claimed by Poseidon as his son and is subsequently offered a quest, Annabeth continues to treat him in a slightly-negative manner. Having previously been told that she will not go on a quest—something all the campers look forward to—until someone "special" comes along, her initial acceptance at joining Percy has less to do with friendship and more to do with her own personal gain.

It is only after he saves Annabeth from the Furies that she starts to warm up to Percy:

"Look, I..." Her voice faltered. "I appreciate your coming back for us, okay? That was really brave."

As the story progresses, the two of them grow closer and closer, until finally, Percy is tasked with fighting Ares. Though her mother, Athena, and his father, Poseidon, are rivals, Annabeth shows her support by standing in solidarity with Percy:

She swallowed. "Wear this, at least. For luck."
She took off her necklace, with her five years' worth of camp beads and the ring from her father, and tied it around my neck.
"Reconciliation," she said. "Athena and Poseidon together."

By casting aside her mother's prejudice against Poseidon, Annabeth makes it clear once and for all that she cares more about her friendship with Percy than pleasing her absent mother.

Whereas Annabeth and Percy's friendship started on rocky terrain, Grover's situation starts off a little different. For instance, before he reveals his true identity as a satyr to Percy, he is given the task of protecting the demigod. His friendly demeanor has more to do with his job than with any real friendship. However, just as it happened with Annabeth, the two become closer and closer as their shared quest goes on.

Aside from his eventual show of solidarity with Percy before the battle with Ares, one of the strongest examples of Grover's friendship comes in chapter fourteen. While the trio take a ride in the "KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL" truck, he laments at not having opened up sooner about a shameful moment in his past:

"I should've told you the truth from the beginning." His voice trembled. "I thought if you knew what a failure I was, you wouldn't want me along."

After Percy figures out that he was the one who tried to rescue Thalia, Grover explains his perceived failure.

It was my fault the Kindly Ones caught up with us. I froze. I got scared on the way back to camp and took some wrong turns. If I'd just been a little quicker . . . ."

While this may not seem as bold as other instances throughout the story, sharing such a private memory—especially one he is ashamed of—showcases the strength of his friendship.

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