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?"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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?
Reactions
I have several reactions to what I have read thus far. This relates to my life in several ways. I oftentimes feel exactly like Percy! I am somehow the pink elephant in the room. As if I have a giant "kick me" sign on my back. I am the brunt of everyone's inside joke. Take for example how Percy feels when Mr. Brunner, Grover and even his Mom are in on something he does not know about. It's like he wants to be part of a conversation yet doesn't know how to get involved.
I have felt this way MANY times. People are conversing and I am trying to make my way into their conversation. However, when I try to interject myself, I suddenly find that they have NO IDEA what I am talking about. Ultimately I feel extremely left out.
Percy is like this puppet in some elaborate play. He has no voice. He is part of a fate of which he has NO control over. This leaves him feeling used and taken advantage of.
I also relate to Percy's imaginative spirit. He sees himself as this central figure that everyone is working to destroy. He is the center of the universe so to speak. I generally feel the same way. When things are going bad for me, the world takes on a similar spirit. Things are gloomy, the sky gets gray, mythological creatures come to get me. Of course this may only be my projection based on how I am feeling, yet inevitably it always seems SO real.
I have felt this way MANY times. People are conversing and I am trying to make my way into their conversation. However, when I try to interject myself, I suddenly find that they have NO IDEA what I am talking about. Ultimately I feel extremely left out.
Percy is like this puppet in some elaborate play. He has no voice. He is part of a fate of which he has NO control over. This leaves him feeling used and taken advantage of.
I also relate to Percy's imaginative spirit. He sees himself as this central figure that everyone is working to destroy. He is the center of the universe so to speak. I generally feel the same way. When things are going bad for me, the world takes on a similar spirit. Things are gloomy, the sky gets gray, mythological creatures come to get me. Of course this may only be my projection based on how I am feeling, yet inevitably it always seems SO real.
The Lightning Thief
Why is this work important?
This work is important on several accounts. First of all, it is important because it shows the plight of a troubled young teen. While he is odd in some ways, he is very much like you or I. He has been diagnosed with ADHD; he is resentful of his step- father; and he feels alienated at school. These are the experiences of a typical adolescence. They seek acceptance and approval, feeling very self- conscious on the interior.
Percy also has an experience with Grover that is not unlike many experiences we go through. While he trusts Grover, he becomes suspicious when learning that Grover is conspiring with Mr. Brunner regarding Percy's fate. Most all of us have had an experience where we overheard a friend or trusted confidant talking about us behind our backs.
The themes in this book run deeper than action packed mythology. Instead, Riordan manages to interweave fiction, non- fiction, action, drama and suspense seamlessly into this story.
This work is important on several accounts. First of all, it is important because it shows the plight of a troubled young teen. While he is odd in some ways, he is very much like you or I. He has been diagnosed with ADHD; he is resentful of his step- father; and he feels alienated at school. These are the experiences of a typical adolescence. They seek acceptance and approval, feeling very self- conscious on the interior.
Percy also has an experience with Grover that is not unlike many experiences we go through. While he trusts Grover, he becomes suspicious when learning that Grover is conspiring with Mr. Brunner regarding Percy's fate. Most all of us have had an experience where we overheard a friend or trusted confidant talking about us behind our backs.
The themes in this book run deeper than action packed mythology. Instead, Riordan manages to interweave fiction, non- fiction, action, drama and suspense seamlessly into this story.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
