Discussion Topic
Percy's dream conversation in The Lightning Thief
Summary:
Percy's dream conversation in The Lightning Thief is a significant moment where he hears a voice warning him about a dangerous quest and the need to retrieve Zeus's stolen lightning bolt. This dream sets the stage for Percy's journey and highlights the high stakes involved in his mission.
In chapter 16 of The Lightning Thief, what conversation does Percy hear in his dream?
In chapter 16, Percy has a dream that he is trying to take a test in a straitjacket, even though he can't pick up the pencil. He is addressed in conversation by a girl he realizes is Thalia, the daughter of Zeus, who says to him:
Well, Seaweed Brain? One of us has to get out of here.
Percy then manages to get out of his straitjacket and enters a pit where he hears a "monstrous" voice having a conversation. He recognizes that the person the monstrous-voiced creature is talking to is someone he knows, but he can't place whoever it is. This familiar voice talks about stealing the master bolt and asks why he himself couldn't bring it to his lord right away:
Truly, my lord, said the voice next to me, you are well-named the Crooked One. But was it really necessary? I could have brought you what...
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I stole directly—
You? the monster said in scorn. You have already shown your limits. You would have failed me completely had I not intervened.
But, my lord—
Peace, little servant. Our six months have bought us much. Zeus's anger has grown. Poseidon has played his most desperate card. Now we shall use it against him. Shortly you shall have the reward you wish, and your revenge.
This is a cryptic conversation, but clearly some evil plot is brewing. Then the Crooked One realizes Percy is there and turns his attention to him. Later, Percy sees an image of his mother frozen in a light in a black-walled throne room.
Who does Percy talk to in his dream in The Lightning Thief?
Given that Percy is a demigod, his dreams give him the chance see into the lives and challenges of the immortals. Many of his dreams act as a pathway into him realizing who he truly is: a demigod (or half-blood). His mother is Sally Jackson (a mortal), and his father is Poseidon (the Greek god of the sea).
Percy's dreams are representative of "gifts" from the gods giving him much-needed information about both who he is and the lives of his immortal relatives. In one dream, Percy sees a "girl with curly blonde hair" hovering over him. She is feeding him pudding (which makes no sense to Percy). She asks him about the summer solstice. In the same dream, a "husky blonde dude" is there, covered with eyes. While Percy has no clue what his dreams mean, or who the people are, the gods are using his dreams to communicate with him.
Percy has many dreams before he finds out about his mythical origin. Most, if not all, of his dreams are meant to offer him hints into his origin and his task in saving those around him, if not the world.
At one point, Percy does identify as Hades as a person from his dream. He finally realizes that his dreams have played an important role in him finding out who he really is, who is after him, and what is at stake.
Essentially, Percy's dreams allow him to communicate with the gods or witness the battles between the gods.