Discussion Topic
Percy's mother's fate and return from the Underworld in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief"
Summary:
In Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Percy's mother, Sally Jackson, is initially captured by the Minotaur and taken to the Underworld. She is later returned to the mortal world after Percy successfully completes his quest and confronts Hades, who releases her as part of their agreement.
What happens to Percy's mother in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief"?
In the story, Percy's mother is imprisoned by Hades in the depths of Hell.
The text tells us that Percy's mother, Sally Jackson, first disappears after the Minotaur (Pasiphae's son) grabs her. We don't find out where Sally is until later in the story.
Accordingly, Sally is being held hostage in the Underworld by Hades. Hades thinks that Poseidon has stolen his Helm of Darkness. However, this isn't true. Ares, the god of war, is the one behind the loss of Zeus and Hades' symbols of power. It is Ares' intention to cause a war between Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. So, Ares has Luke steal Zeus' master bolt. This causes conflict between Poseidon and Zeus, because the latter believes that his brother is behind the disappearance of his powerful bolt.
Additionally, Ares had originally planned to plant Zeus' master bolt in Hades' possession. In Ares' mind, this would cause conflict...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
between Zeus and Hades. So, Ares is mainly interested in instigating a war between the three most powerful gods: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades.
Meanwhile, in Chapter 19, Hades accuses Percy of helping Poseidon steal his helm of darkness. The god of the underworld thinks that Poseidon is just trying to start a war. Because Hades thinks that Percy is helping Poseidon, he kidnaps Sally (Percy's mother). Hades holds Sally in the underworld as a bargaining chip. For his part, Percy tells Hades that he has gotten his facts all wrong. He maintains that he did not steal Hades' helm of darkness.
However, Hades does not believe Percy. He tells Percy that he will only let Sally go after his helm is returned. Since Percy does not have the helm, he cannot return it. So, Percy is forced to leave Hades. In Chapter 20, Percy battles Ares and is able to retrieve the Helm of Darkness. Satisfied that he has his helm back, Hades returns Sally to Manhattan.
How does Percy's mom return from the Underworld in The Lightning Thief?
Percy manages to get his mother released from Hades and the underworld by fighting the god Ares for the helm of darkness. Percy defeats Ares by stabbing his ankle and so he wins the helm. He gives it to Furies to return to Hades. Once Hades has the helm of darkness, he frees Percy's mother. Percy's father Poseidon communicates this welcome news to him.
When he gets to his mother's house, Percy realizes that she can defend herself from Gabe, his abusive step-father and her husband, so he leaves her the Medusa's head and goes back to Camp Half-blood. His mother kills Gabe by turning him into a statue using the Medusa, and then she sells the statue, spending the proceeds to send herself to college and enroll Percy in a private school.