Why is Ares involving himself in Percy's quest?
What do the dreams mean?
Is Percy immortal?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Reactions/ Connections
Did it make you think of anything happening in the news, around school, in other stories or books you have read?
I had several connections with the third section of Lightning Thief. Percy's grand adventure/ quest is secondary to the understanding he is gaining of himself. Each monster he encounters, every deadly situation he must face, and all characters he comes across strengthen him inside. I mean think about it- what other situations put Percy in such close proximity to his emotions.
He must deal with the following:
The death of his mother.
His anger towards his step father.
His despise for past teachers and bullies.
His courage to solve problems from start to finish.
We all are on a "quest" like Percy so to speak. I mean sure, we go to school, work, and fulfill other obligations, but deep down we are on this "grand quest of self discovery." At the end of the day it is our happiness that is most important.
This book kind of reminds me of the Matrix! Neo encounters several situations, each of greater peril than the last. And even though the oracle tells him "you are the one," it is not until he believes it that he is able to defeat all opposing forces. I mean, let's face it, deep down Percy is still doubtful. He is distrusting, resentful, bitter, angry and insecure. Accepting that he is "the one" will negate all these feeling of self doubt- the very things preventing him from becoming this consummate hero.
I am just waiting for the moment that Percy picks up "Riptide" and says "There is no evil I can't defeat." This is the quest Percy is after: Belief in himself. Once he has achieved this, there is no monster or god that will stand in his way.
I had several connections with the third section of Lightning Thief. Percy's grand adventure/ quest is secondary to the understanding he is gaining of himself. Each monster he encounters, every deadly situation he must face, and all characters he comes across strengthen him inside. I mean think about it- what other situations put Percy in such close proximity to his emotions.
He must deal with the following:
The death of his mother.
His anger towards his step father.
His despise for past teachers and bullies.
His courage to solve problems from start to finish.
We all are on a "quest" like Percy so to speak. I mean sure, we go to school, work, and fulfill other obligations, but deep down we are on this "grand quest of self discovery." At the end of the day it is our happiness that is most important.
This book kind of reminds me of the Matrix! Neo encounters several situations, each of greater peril than the last. And even though the oracle tells him "you are the one," it is not until he believes it that he is able to defeat all opposing forces. I mean, let's face it, deep down Percy is still doubtful. He is distrusting, resentful, bitter, angry and insecure. Accepting that he is "the one" will negate all these feeling of self doubt- the very things preventing him from becoming this consummate hero.
I am just waiting for the moment that Percy picks up "Riptide" and says "There is no evil I can't defeat." This is the quest Percy is after: Belief in himself. Once he has achieved this, there is no monster or god that will stand in his way.
Response to Lightning Thief Week 3
A couple passages really stood out to me:
As Percy is falling from the arch the Chimera blew him off he says, "I would love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed in the face of death et cetera....The truth? My only thought was Aaaggghhh!"
This passage struck a chord with me. Percy has this desire deep down to appear in control of the situation. Like Percy, I take on a similar demeanor. When teaching, I try to appear as if I have everything under control. I used to go to GREAT lengths to achieve this. For example: I used to write the entire daily plan on the board outlining what students would learn and what content would be covered. I also dressed in my "best Sunday clothes" every day of the week to appear "credible." Lastly, I had systems in place for what students would do when not having a...pencil, eraser, sharpener, paper, their journal...well I think you get the point. This however turned out to be all an act. In reality, the students did not truly relate to me and felt distant. It was only when I was able to LET GO OF CONTROL that I started truly BEING IN CONTROL.
This is the same paradox that Percy must face. If he admits as he is falling that he is not in control of the situation, it in turn will put his mind at ease and allow him to adapt more readily to the situation once he hits the ground. In a sense I guess I am saying that it's o.k. to be scared.
I also reacted poignantly to Percy's dream. His recurring dream HAS to mean something. He always feels as if he is being "pulled in to the pit." In addition, he alludes to the fact that the characters below are trying to "tell him something." There is something REAL fishy going on here! Those characters are supposed to be the ones he despises and abhors- in reality, they are the ticket to his survival. Like they said, the "Kindly ones" could have destroyed Percy if they wanted to- however, it seems as if they were after something else. "Where is it," they kept repeating.
I am curious as to why everybody is trusting Ares. I mean he is the god of war for crying out loud! He can't be trusted. He is probably leading them into trap after trap!
As Percy is falling from the arch the Chimera blew him off he says, "I would love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed in the face of death et cetera....The truth? My only thought was Aaaggghhh!"
This passage struck a chord with me. Percy has this desire deep down to appear in control of the situation. Like Percy, I take on a similar demeanor. When teaching, I try to appear as if I have everything under control. I used to go to GREAT lengths to achieve this. For example: I used to write the entire daily plan on the board outlining what students would learn and what content would be covered. I also dressed in my "best Sunday clothes" every day of the week to appear "credible." Lastly, I had systems in place for what students would do when not having a...pencil, eraser, sharpener, paper, their journal...well I think you get the point. This however turned out to be all an act. In reality, the students did not truly relate to me and felt distant. It was only when I was able to LET GO OF CONTROL that I started truly BEING IN CONTROL.
This is the same paradox that Percy must face. If he admits as he is falling that he is not in control of the situation, it in turn will put his mind at ease and allow him to adapt more readily to the situation once he hits the ground. In a sense I guess I am saying that it's o.k. to be scared.
I also reacted poignantly to Percy's dream. His recurring dream HAS to mean something. He always feels as if he is being "pulled in to the pit." In addition, he alludes to the fact that the characters below are trying to "tell him something." There is something REAL fishy going on here! Those characters are supposed to be the ones he despises and abhors- in reality, they are the ticket to his survival. Like they said, the "Kindly ones" could have destroyed Percy if they wanted to- however, it seems as if they were after something else. "Where is it," they kept repeating.
I am curious as to why everybody is trusting Ares. I mean he is the god of war for crying out loud! He can't be trusted. He is probably leading them into trap after trap!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Questions for Lit Circle
Why is it SO hard for Hades to defeat Percy?
Who is the one that you think will betray Percy?
Why do you think the oracle said that Percy will "fail?"
Who is the one that you think will betray Percy?
Why do you think the oracle said that Percy will "fail?"
Monday, November 17, 2008
Craft of Riordan
Riordan uses several literary styles in writing The Lightning Thief:
1. Third Person and 1st Person: Percy is referred to in both first and third person. In the beginning of the book, Percy speaks directly to the audience. This first person narrative draws the reader in from the beginning knowing somehow that they will be part of this great quest. Once the reader has been drawn in, Riordan switches to a third person narrative in order to better explain all the events surrounding Percy. If continuing in 1st person we would only see the world through Percy's eyes, in turn finding many holes in the plot of the book. Instead, we understand that while Percy is busy defeating monsters and figuring out his place, Poseidon and Zeus are quarreling over the loss of a trident.
2. Riordan also follows very closely to Freytag's Pyramid of story development:
He introduces minor conflicts and problems that all lead up to a central climax. This "rising action" manifests itself in the form of disputes between Poseidon and Zeus, games of Capture the Flag in which Percy learns of his powers, disputes between him and sons/ daughters of other major gods, etc. There is also the period of "supposition." While this does come later, it nevertheless follows the correct sequencing. We are introduced to characters before major developments in the plot. In the beginning we are introduced to characters at Percy's school, and later Riordan introduces us to characters at the "special school" for the gods.
1. Third Person and 1st Person: Percy is referred to in both first and third person. In the beginning of the book, Percy speaks directly to the audience. This first person narrative draws the reader in from the beginning knowing somehow that they will be part of this great quest. Once the reader has been drawn in, Riordan switches to a third person narrative in order to better explain all the events surrounding Percy. If continuing in 1st person we would only see the world through Percy's eyes, in turn finding many holes in the plot of the book. Instead, we understand that while Percy is busy defeating monsters and figuring out his place, Poseidon and Zeus are quarreling over the loss of a trident.
2. Riordan also follows very closely to Freytag's Pyramid of story development:
He introduces minor conflicts and problems that all lead up to a central climax. This "rising action" manifests itself in the form of disputes between Poseidon and Zeus, games of Capture the Flag in which Percy learns of his powers, disputes between him and sons/ daughters of other major gods, etc. There is also the period of "supposition." While this does come later, it nevertheless follows the correct sequencing. We are introduced to characters before major developments in the plot. In the beginning we are introduced to characters at Percy's school, and later Riordan introduces us to characters at the "special school" for the gods.
Response to Lightning Thief #2
Here are some questions that arose as I read the 2nd section of The Lightning Thief:
Who is Percy's father?
Why has Poseidon never told Percy that he is his father?
What powers does the trident give to Zeus? In other words, why is it SO important to Zeus?
What will Percy have to do to get Zeus' trident back?
Who is Zeus' son or daughter?
Who is Percy's father?
Why has Poseidon never told Percy that he is his father?
What powers does the trident give to Zeus? In other words, why is it SO important to Zeus?
What will Percy have to do to get Zeus' trident back?
Who is Zeus' son or daughter?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Discussion Questions
1. When did Percy obtain his powers?
2. How does Percy use his superhuman powers?
3. Is Mr. Brunner an ally or enemy to Percy?
2. How does Percy use his superhuman powers?
3. Is Mr. Brunner an ally or enemy to Percy?
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