Important Quotes

Important Quote #1 (Sydney)

Important Quote Analysis #1

         In chapter 11 Annabeth states “the real world is where the monsters are.” (Riordan 170) This was said by a twelve-year-old but it speaks volumes when that quote is applied to real-life situations. Percy and Annabeth both had a nasty stepparent that they were forced to deal with. And for Percy, this was his real-life monster. Gabe would treat Percy with no respect and no kindness towards this child. All Gabe cared about was his gambling and bossing others around. Percy’s mom, Sally, only married Gabe because of his literal stench to keep the monsters away from Percy. She took the daily hardships in order to protect her son. Once Percy found out the truth, he had even more respect for his mom but even more hatred toward Gabe. At the end of the novel Gabe supposedly disappeared while Sally sold a stone statue of a ‘poker player.’ The audience knows that Sally used Medusa’s head to get back at Gabe and turn him into stone. This example shows how there are real-life monsters in the form of domestic abuse. Not only physical but emotional as well. Just as Percy was able to fight and kill the Greek monsters, Sally was able to slay a monster of her own.

         Classic myths were told to influence human behavior to fear the gods and to define their morals. Riordan uses this idea from Greek myths and applied it to real-world stories.

Important Quote #2 (Sydney)

         Prophecies are true to Greek myths and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is no different. The prophecy that the Oracle of Delphi tells Percy is as follows: “You shall go west, and face the god who has turned… You shall find what was stolen and see it safely returned… You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend… And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.” (Riordan 141)  The first line is about facing Ares, even though the demigods thought it was going to be Hades. The second line is the lightning bolt that Percy returned to Zeus. But also, Percy returned Hades’ Helm of Darkness to him. The third line prophesized the betrayal of Luke and how he was the one who stole the lightning bolt in the first place with the help of Ares who wanted to create a war. The last line foreshadows the fact that Percy cannot bring his mother with him from the underworld because he does not have enough pearls. Prophecy plays an important role in Greek myths as the heroes can never escape their destiny. Riordan links the theme of prophecy from Greek myths to his novel.

Important Quote #1 (Bella)

         In chapter 21 Annabeth chase says "Even strength must bow to wisdom sometimes" (Roirdan 238 ). This quote emphasizes the importance of strategy and wisdom over just being physically strong and how it is necessary to use ones mind to overcome obstacles and navigate any challenges you might face. Even the strongest and most powerful individuals may need to acknowledge their limitations and seek the guidance and wisdom of others to achieve their goals. This suggests that true strength and power come not only from physical abilities but also from the ability to recognize and work with one's weaknesses and limitations. Overall, the quote encourages individuals to value intelligence, strategy, and wisdom in addition to physical strength and power. It suggests that a well-rounded and thoughtful approach is often necessary to overcome challenges and achieve success.

Important Quote #2 (Bella)

         "It's funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality." (Roirdan 348) This quote is important because it suggests that humans have the ability to perceive, interpret, and make sense of their experiences in their own unique way, often shaping their understanding. The phrase "wrap their mind around things" implies that humans can make sense of complex or abstract concepts, which may not be immediately obvious. This is a uniquely human ability that is related to our cognitive capacity for abstract thinking and problem-solving.

The second part of the quote, "fit them into their version of reality," suggests that people tend to interpret their experiences in a way that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs and values. This can lead to biases, misconceptions, and misunderstandings, as people may interpret events in a way that reinforces their own worldview, rather than analyzing them. Overall, this quote highlights the unique cognitive abilities of humans, while also suggesting the potential for bias and our understanding of reality.