Discussion Topic
Percy's mixed emotions when interacting with his parents in "The Lightning Thief."
Summary:
In "The Lightning Thief," Percy experiences mixed emotions when interacting with his parents. He feels love and loyalty towards his mother, who has always supported him, but also frustration and anger due to the difficult and often dangerous circumstances they face. His feelings towards his father, Poseidon, are more complex, involving a sense of abandonment, curiosity, and a desire for acceptance.
What mixed emotions does Percy feel when he talks to his dad in The Lightning Thief?
In chapter 21, Percy finally meets his father, Poseidon. At Mount Olympus (above Manhattan, of course), Zeus and Poseidon are seated on thrones.
When Percy enters, both gods appear to have been arguing. Percy kneels before Poseidon and is rewarded with a rebuke from Zeus. However, Poseidon maintains that it is only right that Percy acknowledge his own father first.
Upon meeting his father, Percy experiences mixed emotions. He feels great reverence, but he also feels a little intimidated by Poseidon. Above all, Percy feels detached from his father, as Poseidon has been alienated from his son for much of the latter's young life. It is also evident that Percy also feels a desperate need for his father's approval.
As the two finish discussing Kronos, who has proclaimed his own return from the pit, Percy feels a twinge of sadness. Poseidon admits that he is sorry for bequeathing Percy a...
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hero's fate, which is "never anything but tragic." Percy's sadness does not last for long, of course. Poseidon's last words bring a measure of joy to Percy, however.
"You did well, Perseus. Do not misunderstand me. Whatever else you do, know that you are mine. You are a true son of the Sea God."
So, Percy has mixed feelings when he talks to his father: awe, sadness, pride, respect, and finally, a measure of joy.
What are Percy's feelings towards seeing his mother in "The Lightning Thief"?
Percy goes on a quest to save his mother from Hades in the underworld. However, when he arrives there in chapter 19, he realizes that he and his friends have been tricked.
Hades shows Percy his mother, and she is
frozen in a shower of gold, just as she was at the moment when the Minotaur began to squeeze her to death.
Percy is speechless and in shock. He has the desire to reach out to her, but he can't touch her without getting burned. Hades then tells Percy that each pearl is for one person—because he only has three pearls, only three people can leave the underworld. Percy feels like his "heart was being ripped in two."
His friends offer to sacrifice themselves and remain, but Percy will not let that happen. He thinks,
I desperately wanted to sacrifice myself and use the last pearl on her, but I knew what she would say. She would never allow it. I had to get the bolt back to Olympus and tell Zeus the truth. I had to stop the war. She would never forgive me if I saved her instead. I thought about the prophecy made at Half-Blood Hill, what seemed like a million years ago. You will fail to save what matters most in the end.
"I'm sorry," I told her. "I'll be back. I'll find a way."
He uses the pearls on himself and his friends. In chapter 20, he tells us, "My heart was even heavier from seeing my mother."
Annabeth expresses her apologies and her sadness for Percy, but he does not want to talk about it: "If I talked about my mother, I was going to start crying like a little kid."
These quotes show us that Percy feels guilty he can't save his mother and bring her back to the mortal world just yet. While he is glad she is not yet dead, he is weighed down by the difficult decision he is forced to make. Seeing her again made him sad because he was not able to save her.