Table of Contents

Chapter One: I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher .........................................................................................2

Chapter Two: Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death.......................................................................................................2
Chapter Three: Grover Unexpectedly Loses his Pants ............................................................................................................2
Analysis: Chapters One–Three ............................................................................................................................................3
Chapter Four: My Mother Teaches Me Bullfighting ................................................................................................................3
Chapter Five: I Play Pinochle with a Horse ..............................................................................................................................4
Chapter Six: I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom ..........................................................................................................4
Analysis: Chapters Four–Six ................................................................................................................................................5
Chapter Seven: My Dinner Goes Up in Smoke ........................................................................................................................5
Chapter Eight: We Capture a Flag ...........................................................................................................................................6
Analysis: Chapters Seven & Eight .......................................................................................................................................6
Chapter Nine: I Am Offered a Quest .......................................................................................................................................7
Chapter Ten: I Ruin a Perfectly Good Bus ................................................................................................................................7
Analysis: Chapters Nine & Ten ............................................................................................................................................8
Chapter Eleven: We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium ......................................................................................................9
Chapter Twelve: We Get Advice from a Poodle ...................................................................................................................9
Chapter Thirteen: I Plunge to My Death ..................................................................................................................................9
Analysis: Chapters Eleven–Thirteen ................................................................................................................................. 10
Chapter Fourteen: I Become a Known Fugitive .................................................................................................................... 10
Chapter Fifteen: A God Buys us Cheeseburgers................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter Sixteen: We Take a Zebra to Vegas ..................................................................................................................... 11
Analysis: Chapters Fourteen–Sixteen .............................................................................................................................. 12
Chapter Seventeen: We Shop for Water Beds ................................................................................................................... 12
Chapter Eighteen: Annabeth Does Obedience School ........................................................................................................ 13
Analysis: Chapters Seventeen & Eighteen ..................................................................................................................... 13
Chapter Nineteen: We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of ........................................................................................................... 14
Chapter Twenty: I Battle My Jerk Relative ........................................................................................................................... 14
Analysis: Chapters Nineteen & Twenty .......................................................................................................................... 15
Chapter Twenty-One: I Settle My Tab.................................................................................................................................. 16
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Prophecy Comes True ............................................................................................................... 16
Analysis: Chapters Twenty-One & Twenty-Two ........................................................................................................... 17

1
Chapter One: I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher
Percy Jackson, the main character, is a 12-year-old boy and recent student at Yancy Academy, a
private school for troubled kids. His life changes dramatically after a school field trip to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Here, students admire ancient Greek and Roman art and share
knowledge on the Greek gods. Previous field trips did not bode well for Percy after mysterious
accidents occurred. On this trip, two chaperones lead the group of tweens: Mr. Brunner, the Latin
teacher and Percy’s favorite, and Mrs. Dodds, the math teacher. Percy’s only friend, Grover, is on
the trip as well. As the group explores the museum, Mr. Brunner approaches Percy and tells him
that he holds great promise, leaving Percy perplexed with his below average grades and
dyslexia.

After an altercation with bully Nancy Bobofit at the water fountain, Percy is falsely accused of
pushing her. Mrs. Dodds leads Percy deeper into the museum to punish him. As she is demanding a
confession from Percy, she transforms into a Fury, a mythical creature with bat wings and yellow
fangs. Mr. Brunner appears and tosses Percy a ballpoint pen that turns into a bronze sword.
Percy swings the sword, striking the monster, and it turns to dust. Dazed by this experience, Percy
returns back to the fountain only to discover that, in everyone else’s minds, Mrs. Dodds never
existed. Grover tells him that Mrs. Kerr has always been their math teacher, leaving Percy more
confused than ever.

Chapter Two: Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death

No one seems to recall Mrs. Dodds’ existence, after Percy destroyed her, so he is even more
convinced something strange is going on. Frustrated by this and other strange occurrences, his
grades drop, he fights with Nancy, and then disrespects a teacher. With the end of the school
year approaching, Percy is expelled from returning to Yancy Academy in the fall, but he is
allowed to finish out the current school year. Percy decides the only final he will prepare for is
Latin since Mr. Brunner is his favorite teacher. He approaches Mr. Brunner’s office and overhears
a conversation between Mr. Brunner and Grover regarding the incident with Mrs. Dodds. They
talk about magical mist making the students and staff forget the altercation. Then Grover says
that Percy may be the only one who can save them from the “Kindly Ones” before the summer
solstice.

After the school year ends, Percy confronts Grover about his conversation with Mr. Brunner while
riding on a bus. Grover confesses to being Percy’s protector before the bus breaks down. Off the
bus, across the street, Grover and Percy see three old women knitting. Grover seems to be
worried and makes Percy promise him that they will walk to Percy’s home together. Percy agrees
and watches as the woman in the middle cuts a string. Back on the bus, Grover and Percy discuss
the implication of what they saw. The cut signifies someone is going to die.

Chapter Three: Grover Unexpectedly Loses his Pants

After arriving at the bus terminal, Percy ditches Grover and departs for home on his own. Before
entering the apartment, he tells readers about his mother, Sally Jackson. She is the best person
Percy knows, despite some unfortunate circumstances in her life. Percy’s father was the only great
break she received although they never married, and Percy has no memories of him before he
left for an ocean voyage. Sally later married Gabe, whom Percy refers to as “Smelly Gabe, the

2
world-class jerk.” Inside the apartment, Smelly Gabe rudely welcomes Percy home and Percy
storms upstairs to his bedroom. He is later comforted by his mother who gives him the exciting
news about taking a trip to Montauk Beach where she met his father. As they are leaving for their
trip, Smelly Gabe warns Percy not to damage his car.

While at the beach, Sally answers some of Percy’s questions about his father. He learns that his
father wanted to send him to a special camp, but Sally couldn’t bring herself to take him there.
That night, a knock on the door amidst the hurricane brewing outside wakes Percy and Sally. Sally
opens the door to Grover who says he has been searching all night for Percy since losing him at
the bus terminal. Sally is not fazed by Grover’s presence other than why he came and demands
that Percy tell her everything that happened at Yancy and at the museum. After Percy finishes
telling his mother everything, the three of them run to the car where Percy notices Grover has
hooves for feet.

Analysis: Chapters One–Three

Percy Jackson, the main protagonist of the story, is a 12-year-old boy who struggles with his
identity and also wrestles with perceptions others have of him. Percy is unable to see his own
potential; he thinks that he is a typical “bad kid” because he is always getting into trouble. He
sees his learning disabilities as his weaknesses. As the adventure progresses, however, what he
once saw as “weaknesses” will turn into the very characteristics that define him as a powerful
demigod.

The introduction of Greek mythology adds a fantastical element to the novel. Even Percy’s name is
a modern version of Perseus, the demigod son of Zeus best known for killing Medusa. As more
characters are introduced—like Mrs. Dodds, who is one of three Furies—it becomes apparent that
while Percy inhabits a contemporary world not unlike our own, his world possesses hidden depths.

The various allusions to Greek mythology begin to set up the conflict of the story, evoking certain
well-known myths. The three women knitting are an illusion to the Fates, immortal goddesses who
measure the allotted length of the lives of mortals. Their appearance suggests a life-or-death
conflict, and their yarn symbolizes the lives at stake as it begins to dawn on Percy that there is
more to this world, and indeed his own identity, than meets the eye.

Percy’s love for his mother underscores the theme of the importance of family, which expands as
the novel progresses. Percy describes his mother as the best person he knows, and though he loves
her deeply, he’s also lonely, dissatisfied with the lack of other family in his life. Percy’s animosity
toward his abusive stepfather, Gabe, shows that Percy does not consider him family, and while
Percy has vaguely warm memories of his real father, he is angry that such a supposedly great
man left his mother.

Chapter Four: My Mother Teaches Me Bullfighting

While driving away from the storm, Percy notices a creature following them in the distance. He
questions Grover and Sally’s relationship and what kind of animal Grover is. Grover explains that
he is a satyr in charge of protecting Percy, but the less he knows, the fewer monsters he will
attract. Sally begins driving Percy to the camp for protection after learning that the three old
women Percy encountered were the Fates. The car swerves into a ditch, which injures Grover.

3
Sally encourages Percy to get help by running past a big tree that marks the property line to
safety. He refuses to leave without her and Grover, despite the creature that is steadily creeping
up on them.

Sally and Percy finally pull Grover out of the car and head toward the tree. Outside of the car,
Percy recognizes the monster as half bull, half man. He starts to name the monster, but his mother
warns him that names have power. She advises him to jump to the side if the creature attacks,
since a bull cannot change directions easily. Percy does so when the bull charges, which angers the
monster. The monster then attacks his mother and Grover who are on the side of the road. The
bull-man grabs Percy’s mother by the neck, and she disappears into a golden light. Furious, Percy
defeats the monster by tearing off one of the monster’s horns and shoving it into the monster’s
ribs. Percy helps Grover to safety and the two pass out on the porch of a farmhouse after a
young girl recognizes him as the “one.”

Chapter Five: I Play Pinochle with a Horse

After being nursed back to health, Percy enjoys the beautiful views of the camp, despite feeling
remorse for what he assumes was his mother’s death. He tries to remember the battle with the
bull-man, which he now calls the Minotaur. Grover apologizes to Percy for not being able to save
Sally and for his failure in the role of a keeper. Percy does not blame Grover though and the two
leave the farmhouse and enter into the main part of Camp Half-Blood. Percy meets Mr. D, the
camp director; Chiron, who he knew as Mr. Brunner; and Annabeth, one of the daughters of
Athena. He learns that Chiron had been at the school to teach Percy after Grover suggested that
Percy was special.

Percy joins Chiron, Mr. D, and Grover in a game of pinochle. While playing the game, they
discuss the presence of Greek gods in the world and comment on how Mr. D is one himself:
Dionysus, the god of wine. Mr. D and Grover leave so that Chiron and Percy can have a private
conversation. Chiron and Percy discuss more about Mount Olympus and the Greek gods. Chiron
tells Percy that he will learn more about himself and his role after he gets settled in his cabin. At
this point, Percy sees Chiron as his true self—a centaur.

Chapter Six: I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom

While walking Percy to his cabin, Chiron gives Percy a tour of the camp. Percy learns this was
Grover’s second chance to restore his role as a keeper after he failed five years ago. Percy fears
he will be in trouble if Mr. D and the Council of Cloven Elders consider his mission to protect Percy
a failure. Upon approaching the cabins, Percy notices that each cabin features a mascot
dedicated to a god. Annabeth greets him before he enters his cabin. He has been placed in
“Hermes,” the cabin for undetermined campers. Here, he meets his cabin counselor, Luke, the son
of Hermes.

Percy is disappointed that he has not received proper recognition for fighting the Minotaur and
leaves the cabin. Annabeth joins him outside and explains that monsters do not die because they
lack a soul. They can still reform and he should refer to them as “Kindly Ones,” rather than by
their names. Annabeth also points out that Percy would not be here if he were not a half-blood
by his father. As they are talking, another girl, Clarisse, the daughter of Ares, provokes Percy and

4
Annabeth into a fight in the bathroom. Percy defends himself by unknowingly manipulating the
water to soak Clarisse and her friends. Angered and humiliated, she declares war on Percy.

Analysis: Chapters Four–Six

Friendship forms an important component of The Lightning Thief. Percy’s close friendship with
Grover is juxtaposed with his general lack of friends upon first entering Camp Half-Blood. The
strength of Grover and Percy’s relationship is exhibited when Percy risks his own safety to help
Grover escape the Minotaur, and when he shares his remorse for leaving Grover at the bus
station, as it may have ruined Grover’s chances of being a keeper. Even though Percy enters a
camp filled with people like him, the traumatic event with the Minotaur has left him unable to
forge new connections. At this point, Percy does not know anyone other than Chiron and Grover,
and he has to deal with the grief of losing his mother to mythical beasts. As a result, it’s extremely
difficult for Percy to adapt to his new surroundings.
The continued presence of Greek mythology contrasts with the ordinary world Percy thought he
lived in. He realizes that there are aspects of his world that exist outside of his perception when
he learns that his friend Grover is actually a satyr, a nature spirit that is part horse, part goat,
and part man. Even his mother’s decision to stay with his abusive stepfather was to protect Percy
from monsters, suggesting that the only person not privy to this world was Percy. While Percy’s
encounter with Greek mythology challenges his view of the world, it also provides a glimpse into
his own journey and transformation. Chiron refers to Percy by his full first name, Perseus. In Greek
mythology, Chiron has trained some of the greatest heroes, implying such a future awaits Percy.

Camp Half-Blood introduces new struggles for Percy, specifically those of identity and how his
identity is shaped by his family. Previously, Percy believed his only family was his mother and that
he was simply a troubled youth. However, the loss of his mother and the revelation that his father
is actually a Greek god challenge how he currently views himself. Since family is so important to
Percy, this directly affects how he feels at the camp; he now knows his place among the other
campers, all of whom are at least distantly related to him, thus allowing Percy to broaden his
idea of a traditional “family.” Percy reflects on how his identity fits into the idea of family, as
Annabeth goes through similar struggles with her own parents. While this issue poses a struggle
for them both in these first moments of their relationship, the shared experience will allow them to
figure out their distinct identities as the story progresses.

Chapter Seven: My Dinner Goes Up in Smoke

Percy feels overwhelmed by his new home and everything he is learning as he continues to
wonder who his father is. Annabeth tells him that although he may never know, it is important that
he remain at the camp in order to protect himself from monsters and mortals. The camp’s border
does not allow monsters or mortals to enter unless summoned by someone within the camp. If he
were to stay in the mortal world, he would be more susceptible to danger. Annabeth explains that
Percy is only allowed to leave the camp with permission or if assigned to a quest.

Percy asks Annabeth what she knows about the summer solstice. She only recalls an unease with
the weather after her trip to Mount Olympus for the winter solstice with Clarisse and Luke. She
also overheard talk about something that was stolen and if the item was not returned by the
summer solstice, a war would break out. Percy and Annabeth return to their cabins where Percy
chats with Luke. Luke tells Percy that although Annabeth desperately wants to go on a quest, she

5
is unable to until somebody special arrives. Percy does not understand what Luke means but drops
the conversation.

Chapter Eight: We Capture a Flag

As Percy settles into the camp, he discovers his skill in sword fighting, his gift with water, and his
father’s identity. During a sword-fighting lesson with Luke, Percy successfully beats him, which
catches Luke off guard. Later, Percy asks Grover about Grover’s desire for a searcher’s license.
Grover does not share much detail other than how he may be one step closer if he successfully
protects Percy during a quest. They also talk about the “Big Three” gods: Zeus, Poseidon, and
Hades.

Grover explains that the children of the “Big Three” gods are more powerful than other half-
bloods. Because of this, the “Big Three” decided not to have any more children after they
recognized that their children were causing catastrophic events. Zeus, however, broke this pact by
having a daughter named Thalia. Hades was angered at Zeus for his indiscretion and sent
monsters to attack Thalia. She sacrificed herself by fighting the monsters alone to save other half-
bloods and a satyr who were accompanying her on their way to Camp Half-Blood. As Thalia was
dying, Zeus turned her into a pine tree. Through this tree, now called Half-Blood Hill for her heroic
act, Thalia’s spirit still protects the surrounding borders.

In the evening, during a game of capture the flag, Percy is attacked by Clarisse and several
other campers, leaving a deep wound in his arm. Percy falls back into a creek and, even though
he is weak, he is mysteriously able to defend himself against his opponents. Meanwhile, Luke wins
the game for his cabin. Annabeth magically appears near Percy in the creek after taking off her
invisibility cap. As they are getting out of the water, Annabeth notices that Percy’s arm has
already healed. Suddenly, a hellhound from the Fields of Punishment attacks Percy, but is
promptly killed by arrows fired by Chiron, piercing its neck. Chiron trots over and points out that
someone from inside the camp must have summoned a monster to attack Percy. As Percy
resubmerges into the water to heal, a hologram of green light shines above him and reveals that
Poseidon has claimed Percy as his son.

Analysis: Chapters Seven & Eight

Part of Percy adjusting to Camp Half-Blood means crafting a new perception of himself. Percy
struggles with this even more while trying to come to terms with what his purpose in his new life
will be. In the past, his life as a somewhat normal boy left him feeling confused, and he never felt
like he fit in. Even though being around a group of demigods makes him feel even more out of
place as he still cannot relate to his peers, learning that he is a half-blood also gives him a new
sense of confidence, or at least the beginnings of one. Everything he once considered a “flaw,”
like his dyslexia, turns into a strength. This realization is the start of his journey to self-awareness
and self-acceptance.

Knowing who his father is complicates Percy’s thoughts about his identity even further and makes it
difficult to acclimate to his new reality. Other characters shape their entire identities around their
lineage. Percy demonstrates loyalty, creativity, and strength even before he knows he’s the son of

6
a god known for these qualities, raising the question of how much of his personality can be
attributed to Poseidon and how much of it is just who he is. In contrast to Percy and unlike many of
the other campers, Luke knows who his father is. However, while Luke may know the identity of his
father, he lacks motivation and doesn’t feel the same personal responsibility for his life that Percy
does. Instead, Luke shows resentment towards his father and the gods in general. This will play
into the theme of identity in a major way later on in the novel.

Percy begins to reconcile his teenage identity struggles with the need to step up to challenges in
the face of approaching conflict. He begins to understand that forces are working against him,
chiefly Zeus and Hades. By virtue of being Poseidon’s son, he is a target for the other two of the
Big Three just as Thalia was before him, trapping him in a conflict more monumental than anything
he has experienced thus far. In order to succeed, Percy will need to develop more confidence in
his abilities. Frequent mentions of the summer solstice, an event of significance in both myth and
religion, hint that Percy will soon be part of something important. The revelation that he has more
strength than other half-bloods sets Percy apart as he begins his transformation into a hero.

Chapter Nine: I Am Offered a Quest

The camp responds to Poseidon’s claim by granting Percy his own private cabin as well as other
freedoms, while also assigning him to a world-saving quest. Despite these luxuries of freedom,
Percy feels isolated and angered after hearing he is being blamed for his mother’s
disappearance back home. That night, Grover encourages Percy to talk with Chiron about
accepting the quest and speaking with the Oracle about his destiny. Percy agrees to the quest
and Chiron explains why Zeus and Poseidon are fighting. Zeus believes that Poseidon stole his
lightning bolt, the symbol of his power. Poseidon denies this allegation and seeks an apology by
the summer solstice, the day Zeus also wants his master bolt returned by. If the quest fails, a
catastrophic war will be unleashed. Zeus thinks that having Poseidon’s son return his bolt will be a
rewarding peace offering. Percy seeks advice from the Oracle and learns that he has to go west
and face a god to find the stolen item. The Oracle tells him that along the way, he will be
betrayed by a friend and fail to save what matters most.

Chiron tells Percy that he suspects that Hades stole the master bolt because he was angry that Zeus broke their
pact by having another child. He knew that Zeus would blame Poseidon and a war would unfold. Chiron
believes Hades also knew Poseidon would claim Percy as his son, so Hades has tried to kill Percy by sending
monsters such as the Minotaur before Percy’s quest could begin. Percy is angry that Hades’ desire to kill him
caused his mother to disappear and has instilled fear in the rest of the camp. He takes Grover and Annabeth on
the journey, so that Grover can get his searcher’s license and Annabeth can fulfill her desire for a quest.

Chapter Ten: I Ruin a Perfectly Good Bus

As Percy, Grover, and Annabeth prepare to depart for their quest, Luke gives Percy magical
shoes that fly. As a precaution, Percy hands the shoes over to Grover because Percy fears that
Zeus will strike him down if he travels through the sky. Chiron gives Percy the ballpoint pen that
transforms into a sword, named Riptide. The sword cannot be lost. It cannot hurt any mortal, only
monsters, but Percy is reminded that he is susceptible to both mortal and celestial weapons.

7
Once in the city, Percy starts thinking about his family. Grover shares with Percy how his mother
was protecting him by staying with Smelly Gabe because his scent masked Percy’s scent from
monsters. While they are on a bus headed toward the entrance to the Underworld, three old
women who look like Mrs. Dodds get on the bus. These women are actually monsters. They are
called the Furies. Percy wears Annabeth’s invisible cap and slips past them, hoping that the Furies
only want him and will ignore his friends. Instead, the Furies attack Annabeth and Grover.

While still invisible, Percy spins the bus by taking control of the steering wheel. He pulls the
emergency brake and releases the mortals from the bus. Then he takes off the cap and instigates
a fight with the monsters, so they will leave his friends alone. Annabeth and Grover help hold the
Furies while Percy uses Riptide to turn the first two to dust. As Percy strikes the third Fury, he and
his friends escape from the bus just as it bursts into flames. The Mrs. Dodds look-alike calls for
reinforcements amidst the flames and the three friends flee into the nearby woods.

Analysis: Chapters Nine & Ten

Percy has felt alone for most of his young life. Though he previously believed he would feel
complete upon learning the identity of his father, isolation grips him once again. Percy feels as if
he found his place only to have it ripped from him, leaving him with feelings of despair and
loneliness and underscoring the question of his identity. Knowing he is the son of Poseidon changes
Percy’s day-to-day routine at the camp, but it does not fulfill his desire for family, friends, or
belonging. Being known as Poseidon’s son makes Percy a target for bullying, as the other children
take it upon themselves to uphold the relationships the gods have with each other. This challenge is
further exemplified when Annabeth stops being kind to Percy, as Athena and Poseidon do not get
along. Percy’s identity as Poseidon’s son doesn’t make him feel empowered, only miserable.
When Percy has the opportunity to go on a quest, he believes he may earn his right to survive
and to solidify his identity. Succeeding on the quest may help him finally find a sense of
belonging.

Friendship, as opposed to the godly lineage that seems so important at Camp Half-Blood,
influences Percy’s next steps as he embarks on his quest. His motivations for going on the quest
vary from wanting to get the bolt for his own sake and wanting to go to the Underworld to rescue
his mother, but people around him affect the way he goes about the quest. Percy chooses to go
on the quest with Grover because he knows it will help Grover get his searcher’s license. Although
Grover is not the strongest fighter, their friendship motivates Percy to make this decision. Similarly,
Percy knows Annabeth has been waiting for the opportunity to go on a quest to prove herself, so
he invites her to go with them. Rather than being ruled by logic, strategy, or the gods, Percy
illustrates the ways in which he values friendship by choosing to go on a quest with friends,
despite the Oracle’s warning that he will be betrayed by a friend. Acting with kindness, instead
of considering the god’s own interests, differentiates Percy from the other characters.

The Oracle’s prophecy illustrates yet another device utilized in Greek myth, and also serves to
add tension as the story sets up the conflict Percy will soon face. In Greek mythology, demigods
have always had to balance being part god and part human, and they are often assigned tasks
that the gods could not do because the gods were often unable to navigate the human world as
effectively. The Oracle giving the hero a prophecy was used as a way to spur action. In Percy’s
world, the gods often use mortals to do their bidding as well, and the Oracle giving Percy a
prophecy before he leaves implies that the gods will ultimately manipulate him, too. Furthermore,

8
prophecies in Greek mythology were often unclear. Just like the ancient heroes, Percy must
decipher much of the Oracle’s prophecy himself or hope that it will be revealed as he moves
forward on his quest.

Chapter Eleven: We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover emerge from the woods and come upon a curio shop that smells like
food. As they stop to eat, Grover notices a life-size statue outside that looks strangely like his
Uncle Ferdinand. A woman who calls herself Aunty Em feeds them and offers to take their picture.
Percy accepts the offer, but Annabeth and Grover are skeptical about the woman’s statues.
Suddenly, Grover realizes that the statue was his uncle and Annabeth warns Percy and Grover to
look away from the woman. Percy learns that Aunty Em is actually Medusa, a monster seeking
revenge on Annabeth for being the daughter of Athena, the god who cursed her. She tells Percy
that he would be better off as a statue than having to play the Olympians’ game.
Grover attacks Medusa with a tree branch with his eyes shut while Percy uses the reflection of a
gazing ball to approach her. Percy severs Medusa’s head with Riptide. Annabeth says that even
though the head is a spoil of war it can still turn him to stone. Tired of being used as a pawn,
Percy steals money from Medusa’s office to use on their journey. He grabs a freight bill showing
the Underworld’s billing address and now knows it is located at a DOA Recording Studio in
California He finds a box and fills out a delivery slip to send Medusa’s head to Mount Olympus
before they plan their next move.

Chapter Twelve: We Get Advice from a Poodle

Back in the woods, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover rest for the night while Percy learns that in order
to earn his searcher’s license, Grover must find Pan, the god of wild places. To the satyrs, Pan is
their master who once protected the earth. Although legend says that he died, the satyrs refuse to
believe he is gone and many dedicate their lives to finding him, although none have survived the
search. Grover says that despite the risk, he still desperately wants to search for Pan to restore
the earth’s goodness.

On this part of the trip, Percy also discovers that Grover was the keeper for Annabeth five years
ago when he failed, but she forgave him. Grover stops Percy from asking more questions about
that quest and instead says how he and Annabeth think this quest is different because the
monsters seem to be holding back from attacking them while they look for something. The next
morning, Percy meets Gladiola, a missing pink poodle. They collect enough money to buy train
tickets by returning Gladiola to his owner.

Chapter Thirteen: I Plunge to My Death

The Amtrak train takes Percy, Annabeth, and Grover to Denver. Percy tries to keep a low-profile
after his image is plastered on the front page of newspapers as a wanted fugitive for the
disappearance of his mother and for the flaming bus accident. While Percy takes a nap, he
dreams of a dreary, scary pit and tries to barter to save his mother’s life. Later, Annabeth reveals
that she ran away to Camp Half-Blood when she was seven after learning that her father never
wanted her and resented her after he remarried.

9
The three explore the top of the Gateway Arch during a layover in St. Louis. Percy waits at the
top of the Arch with the other tourists while Annabeth and Grover take the remaining seats on the
elevator back down. A fat woman and a Chihuahua confront Percy and reveal that they are
monsters trying to hurt him. The woman is the Mother of Monsters, a reptile-looking creature
named Echidna. The Chihuahua is actually Chimera, a rabid, fire-breathing, lion serpent. Chimera
attacks Percy by plunging its serpent fangs into Percy’s leg and damaging the Arch with a ball of
fire. Percy feels defeated after he loses Riptide trying to defend himself and the other tourists.
Echidna taunts him, saying if he truly believed he were the son of Poseidon then he would jump
into the water to save himself. Percy prays and jumps into the river.

Analysis: Chapters Eleven–Thirteen

Riordan draws direct parallels between Percy’s situation and certain aspects of Greek mythology.
For instance, Percy’s namesake, Perseus, is the hero who killed Medusa. When they encounter
Aunty Em (aka Medusa), she hates Annabeth in particular because Annabeth’s mother, Athena, is
the one who cursed her. This encounter is another instance of Percy and Annabeth’s identities
shaping the manner in which they are viewed by others. When Percy encounters Echidna, the
mother of monsters, the story echoes Odysseus’s journey home in The Odyssey with its episodic
structure. The allusions to Greek mythology are integral in the telling of the story, but the story
unfolds in a way so as not to confuse those unfamiliar with the tales.
Percy relies on his friends, and their knowledge, to help solve him problems instead of appealing
to the gods. At this point, Percy and his friends are attempting to shake off the influence of the
gods and make their own decisions, often relying on one another for support, which distinguishes
them as characters; they’re carving out identities for themselves and attempting to prove
themselves despite their links to all-powerful gods. A significant part of Annabeth’s story is
learning how to trust Percy and create a foundation for a strong friendship.

The theme of identity emerges again as Percy learns to take advantage of being the son of
Poseidon. He initially shows doubt over his identity when Echidna challenges him to jump off the
arch and into the river. However, after thinking back on a childhood memory of Poseidon visiting
him, he has enough confidence to throw himself off the arch and into the river below. Percy’s
choice to jump is a major turning point in his development as the main character. This decision
represents his choice to trust Poseidon and to start thinking of his father differently. He places a
great deal of faith in his father by jumping off the arch, knowing that a mortal would not survive.
Percy also demonstrates that he is more than just the son of Poseidon when he decides to mail
Medusa’s head to Olympus, despite warnings that doing so is impetuous. Percy making such
decisions for himself shows that he is bolstered by his trust in Poseidon, while simultaneously
becoming comfortable enough to make his own choices.

Chapter Fourteen: I Become a Known Fugitive

As Percy enters the water, he realizes he wasn’t hurt by the impact of the water or Chimera’s bite,
but rather feels dry and can breathe underwater. As he looks around, he sees Riptide a few feet
in front of him. A female spirit tells him that his father believes in him, he should go to Santa
Monica before going to the Underworld, and to not trust gifts. Before she departs, the spirit
reassures Percy that his mother’s fate is not hopeless. As the spirit disappears, Percy grabs Riptide
and swims off to find Annabeth and Grover.

10
Several news stations and police officers surround the area below the Arch, as they try to figure
out what happened to it. Eyewitnesses tell them they saw a boy jump into the water. As
ambulance technicians attend to the civilians on the roof, Percy finds his friends and tells them
everything that happened. While they make plans to go to Santa Monica, they hear news
reporters making the connection between the boy who jumped and the fugitive they have been
reporting on. The three quickly dash toward the train station before anyone recognizes Percy and
head to Denver.

Chapter Fifteen: A God Buys us Cheeseburgers

In Denver, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover contact Chiron through Iris-messaging, the rainbow
goddess who carries messages for the gods. Luke answers and is updated on all that has
happened so far. Percy and Luke discuss the possibility of Hades stealing the master bolt during
the winter solstice by using his Helm of Darkness. While eating at a diner, Ares, Clarisse’s dad
and the god of war, joins the group and asks Percy to retrieve his shield, which he lost in the
Tunnel of Love while at a waterpark with his girlfriend. In turn, Ares will disclose information about
Percy’s mother and help the three continue west.

After initial reluctance, Percy and his friends head to the waterpark. Percy discovers that Ares
was dating Aphrodite, the goddess of love, despite Aphrodite’s marriage to Hephaestus, the
blacksmith. Hephaestus is aware of his wife’s affair and always tries to embarrass her and Ares.
While Grover stands guard, Percy and Annabeth are caught in a trap that was set by
Hephaestus to catch his wife and Ares together. A camera emerges and spotlights shine down on
Percy and Annabeth. A loudspeaker voice announces the beginning of a countdown until the
broadcast goes live to Mount Olympus. Annabeth is concerned about looking like a fool before
the gods until thousands of metal spiders emerge and begin to swarm toward them. Annabeth is
paralyzed with terror. Percy moves her back to the boat and uses his connection with water to
move the boat along and fight off the spiders. Before the boat crashes, the two of them jump and
Grover grabs them by flying with his shoes and carries them to safety before dropping them
along the way. They survive the fall and Percy vows to confront Ares on this assignment.

Chapter Sixteen: We Take a Zebra to Vegas

At the diner, Percy and his friends return the shield they recovered to Ares. He takes his shield
and gives Percy a backpack with food and directs them to a truck that will take them to Los
Angeles. Before leaving, Ares tells Percy that his mother is not actually dead, but rather a hostage
in metamorphosis. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover join some caged animals on the truck headed to
Los Angeles with a stop in Las Vegas. While on the road, Percy learns that Grover was the
keeper for Thalia, Zeus’ daughter who died. The two half-bloods she was protecting at the time
were Annabeth and Luke. Annabeth shares how she tried to reconcile with her family a couple of
years ago only to return to Camp Half-Blood.

Percy dreams about the pit again. He hears a mysterious voice and sees his mother reaching out
to him but wakes up to the truckers checking on the animals. After witnessing the abuse of some of
the animals, Percy releases them into Vegas while he and his friends leave the truck. They enter
the Lotus Hotel and Casino and are given a room key. They shower, eat, relax, and play video
games until Percy realizes something seems off. People appear to be in a daze. No one can tell
him what year they are in. Percy snaps Annabeth and Grover out of the trance they are in and

11
they leave the hotel only to realize that since they lost track of time, they only have one day left
to complete the quest.

Analysis: Chapters Fourteen–Sixteen

Learning how to breathe underwater signifies that Percy is slowly reconciling the two sides of his
character: the human and the divine. This ability provides renewed confirmation and faith that he
is indeed the son of Poseidon. Rather than simply hearing something and believing it, Percy
witnesses the proof of his identity as he exercises the powers that come with it. This incident also
helps Percy feel much more confident in the face of mounting challenges. His father’s belief in him
encourages him to keep going. Not only does Percy begin to come into his own power and show
greater confidence in the water, but he also behaves with more confidence on land as he
continues with Annabeth and Grover on their quest.

The warning in the prophecy (“You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend”), though it
foreshadows a coming betrayal, only strengthens Percy’s resolve to trust his friends. He knows he
can trust them and places great importance on the close relationships they have formed. He sees
their friendship as a gift, not unlike the gifts he has been blessed with as a demigod.

Percy’s quest continues to be both reminiscent of Greek myths and also interconnected with the
contemporary world with which readers are familiar. The author creatively adapts Iris, the
goddess of rainbows and messenger to the gods, to the modern world by providing an instant
message service, meant to mimic online messaging or text messages, that the trio uses to connect
back to camp. Again, their quest is reminiscent of The Odyssey, especially as they reach the Lotus
Hotel, an allusion to the Lotus-eaters. In the epic poem, the hero Odysseus encounters the Lotus-
eaters who grow and eat a plant that produces forgetfulness. For Percy, he ends up stuck in a
distortion of time. Beyond the modernizations of Greek myths, some of the stories are expanded
upon, such as the myth of Arachne, a weaver who was turned into a spider by Athena. The
Lightning Thief adds another layer, suggesting that her descendants, the spiders, hate Athena and
her descendants.
The importance Percy places on family and trust is the aspect of his personality most susceptible
to exploitation. When Percy meets with Ares to return his shield, there is instant animosity between
the characters. Ares, as the god of war, thrives on conflict and intentionally riles Percy up. Percy
believes that a particular line of the prophecy (“And you shall fail to save what matters most in
the end”) refers to him not being able to save his mother. But Ares challenges that idea by telling
Percy that his mother is still alive. Percy is unaware that Ares is using him, and of what Ares’s true
intentions are, but he is still naive and willing to trust. Ares uses this against him and deceives
Percy by making him a pawn in his ultimate plan to incite a war between the gods.

Chapter Seventeen: We Shop for Water Beds

While on the taxi ride to Santa Monica, Percy tries to explain his dream of the pit, but Annabeth
reassures him that Hades has the master bolt and there is nothing else to fear. At the beach, Percy
submerges into the water and is greeted by Nereid, the spirit of the sea. Nereid gives Percy
three pearls and tells him to trust his heart on when to use them. She reminds him that if something
belongs to the sea, it will eventually return. Percy meets with Annabeth and Grover on land and
they search for the entrance to the Underworld.

12
Down an alley, a group of boys start a fight, so the three flee into a waterbed store. They are
welcomed by a salesclerk who calls himself Crusty. He prompts them to lie down and relax. When
Annabeth and Grover take him up on it, ropes suddenly trap them to the beds. Crusty reveals
himself to be Procrustes, the Stretcher, and attempts to attack Percy. However, Percy distracts
Crusty by pretending he is interested in the waterbed. He persuades Crusty to demonstrate, which
allows him the opportunity to trap Crusty with the ropes and use Riptide on him. Percy frees
Annabeth and Grover from being stretched. Percy sees a flyer on a bulletin board for the DOA
Recording Studio showing the exact address for the Underworld entrance.

Chapter Eighteen: Annabeth Does Obedience School

Annabeth, Percy, and Grover arrive at the recording studio, and meet a security guard named
Charon who asks them to pay for their entrance. Percy gives him some drachmas he stole from
Crusty’s office before they left. Charon is not happy with the amount and will not allow them to
enter. After Charon recognizes Percy is a godling, Percy hands him a bag full of drachmas and
says that he will put in a good word with Hades about giving Charon a proper raise. Charon
agrees and the group departs toward one of three entrances with metal detectors and security
cameras.

Before passing through the security line, the three are stopped by Cerberus, a three-headed
security Rottweiler. Percy tries to distract him with a bedpost he took from Crusty’s, but Cerberus
is not interested in “the stick.” Annabeth pulls out a ball she took from the waterpark and
commands Cerberus to sit. Percy and Grover are able to sneak past the dog while Annabeth
distracts him. She tosses him the ball and catches up with Grover and Percy. They set off the metal
detectors with their magical items and run to escape the security guards.

Analysis: Chapters Seventeen & Eighteen

Nereid’s gift of the three pearls is important, as it is a symbol for the support that surrounds
Percy. This is encouraging for Percy because he values family and friends, and the gift is a sign
that Poseidon cares for him, just as his mother does. Unlike the gifts from Luke and Ares that were
generally useful, Nereid suggests her gifts are for something specific. This foreshadows an
instance in which Percy will need to return to the sea. It also serves to remind Percy that he must
learn to trust himself when making crucial decisions. Annabeth and Grover support Percy and are
integral to his journey. Since Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and
war, her skills and abilities are an asset to Percy. Her experience in both the world of mortals and
the world of gods has also been of great assistance in getting Percy to where they are on their
journey and showing him that even the children of gods cannot succeed on their own. When the
three use the pearls to escape the Underworld, they do it together as a team.

Entering the water is symbolic of Percy’s growing connection with Poseidon and the divine part of
his character. Water is the domain of Poseidon and symbolizes not just life itself, but also Percy’s
growing trust in his father. When he is under the water, he feels at home, indicating this trait is
genetic.

The introduction of Procrustes and Charon underlies the humorous modernization of many
characters from Greek mythology, rendering them more relatable. In myths, Procrustes is a robber
who compels victims to lie on an iron bed and then kills them by either stretching them or cutting

13
their limbs, so they “fit” the length of the bed. Like other mythological figures in the novel, he is
comically humanized as a mattress salesman with the nickname “Crusty.” Percy kills Crusty in a
manner similar to the way the hero Theseus kills Procrustes in Greek myth. We see another
amusing modernization of myth when the trio meets Charon. In this story, the ferryman of the
dead is depicted as an under-appreciated employee and is bribed into letting Percy, Annabeth,
and Grover through with the promise of talking to Hades about workers’ rights. By appealing to
the human side of Charon, who takes pride in his position, Percy and his friends can advance to
the River Styx.

Cerberus, a three-headed Rottweiler, is the guard dog of the Underworld in both Greek
mythology and in The Lightning Thief. In mythology, Cerberus is presented as a fearsome three-
headed dog who keeps the dead from escaping their fates. Percy pulling out a stick for Cerberus
likens him to a regular dog. Like Charon, Cerberus desires more than to simply guard the
Underworld. Through Cerberus, the trio realizes they can attain their goals by appealing to the
neglected human parts of these creatures’ personalities.

Chapter Nineteen: We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of

As Percy, Annabeth, and Grover head toward the house of Hades, the flying shoes Grover is
wearing take off and fly him toward the pit from Percy’s dream. The shoes fall off of Grover
before he falls into the pit as Percy and Annabeth catch up. When they sit down to catch their
breath, Percy notices that his backpack feels heavier. A whisper echoes from the pit signifying the
entrance to the stormy pit of Tartarus and the three flee before they are sucked down.

Finally, they meet Hades who accuses Percy of stealing not only the master bolt, but also his Helm
of Darkness. Hades claims he does not want war because he would have to hire more staff to
support the extra deaths. Percy denies stealing either item, but Hades warns him that he will
unleash the dead back into the world if his helm is not returned. Hades tells Percy to check his
backpack. Percy opens it and reveals the master bolt in his possession. Percy feels defeated,
knowing that someone has been manipulating him. Hades says he knows that Percy came to
bargain for his mother’s life. He then shows Percy a vision of his mother in a ball of gold fire.

Hades threatens to kill Percy’s mother if he does not return his helm. Percy grabs the pearls to
leave Hades, but realizes he only has three and cannot save himself, his friends, and his mother.
He gives up the idea of a joyful reunion with his mother and uses the pearls to escape with
Annabeth and Grover in order to return the master bolt to Olympus. The three are dropped into
the ocean at Santa Monica and plan to not only return the master’s bolt, but also to talk with the
god who tricked them.

Chapter Twenty: I Battle My Jerk Relative

On the shore, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover confront Ares about stealing the master bolt and the
Helm of Darkness. Ares admits that while he did not personally steal them, since gods cannot steal
each other’s symbols of power, he did have someone else take it. Ares wants war, so he framed
Percy as the culprit in order to achieve a three-way war against Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades. He
explains that magic similar to that in Riptide, the sword, was used on the backpack, so that the

14
bolt would appear in the backpack once Percy entered the Underworld. Since Percy still has the
master bolt, Ares says he will have to kill Percy so that it cannot be returned to Zeus.

Percy and Ares make a deal that they will fight and if Percy wins, he will return the bolt and be
free from Ares; however, if he loses, Ares can take the bolt and transform Percy into anything
Ares wishes. The two engage in battle but are interrupted by mortals who recognize Percy as the
boy from the news. Ares fires at the mortals while Percy uses the waves against him and stabs him
in the heel. As Ares prepares to implement his next attack, a strange force stops him and he
lowers his sword in defeat. He tells Percy to watch out because he’s made a new enemy, then
disappears in a bright light.

The Furies appear next and take the Helm of Darkness to return to Hades after they
acknowledge that Percy did not steal it. As they fly away, Percy joins Grover and Annabeth and
they briefly ponder who or what stopped Ares from continuing the fight. The three decide the
fastest way to get to New York to return the bolt is by flying in an airplane, despite Percy’s fear
of Zeus’s wrath.

Analysis: Chapters Nineteen & Twenty

To successfully accomplish his quest and get out of the Underworld alive, Percy must utilize the
values and skills he has been taught by those he looks up to. Despite the fact that he is a
demigod, he realizes that his humanity is what defines him; what makes someone a hero is their
ability to be a good person and friend. His loyalty, compassion, empathy, willingness to sacrifice
for others, and trust in his friends are all strengths and characteristics of a hero. The pit, on the
other hand, represents darkness, evil, and the unknown. Since such negative influences are foreign
to Percy, he struggles to overcome them.

In Hades, Percy faces not only the story’s external antagonist, but also a test of his own values.
Percy is upset that the gods have toyed with him; the values he holds most dear—trust, loyalty,
doing the right thing—fuel his anger, as he has been made to look untrustworthy as a result of
Ares’s plan, and this is a direct subversion of what he stands for. Percy learns he must not place
his trust in those who may use that trust to manipulate him. He has grown to the point where he is
confident in himself and his identity and is not defined by who his father is. He is able to stand up
to bullies who have underestimated him, and those that have tried to use him for their own selfish
ends.

After Percy succeeds in the fight against Ares, he knows it is due in large part to being backed by
the people who love him. This victory reinforces just how important family and close friends are
and feeds into the idea that success on any journey in life is difficult without support. The thought
of returning to his mother, the most important person in his life, also bolsters Percy’s determination.
His ADHD proves to be an asset, enabling Percy to deepen his relationship with himself. In
contrast, Ares has none of the advantages that Percy has; Ares has leaned into the idea that
families are dysfunctional, and that manipulation is the only way to succeed. This belief is
ultimately what allows Percy to overcome Ares, as Ares has no one to come to his aid.

15
Chapter Twenty-One: I Settle My Tab
In Manhattan, Percy separates from Annabeth and Grover so he can return the master bolt to
Zeus while Annabeth and Grover go back to Camp Half-Blood to tell Chiron everything that has
happened. At Olympus, Percy delivers the master bolt to Zeus and Poseidon and discloses details
of his quest. He tells them about the fight with Ares as well as the unease he encountered while at
the entrance of Tartarus. Zeus dismisses Percy’s concerns and spares his life since he returned the
bolt. Poseidon reassures Percy that he claims him as his son and tells Percy that he will have a
decision to make regarding a delivered package when he returns home. At this time, Percy also
learns that his mother was returned home after Hades received his Helm.

Back home, Percy reunites with his mother and Smelly Gabe. Smelly Gabe blames him for his
destroyed car and says he is not welcome there. He raises his hand to hit Sally when she tries to
defend Percy. Sally and Percy retreat upstairs to his bedroom where Percy finds the package
containing Medusa’s head. He suggests that Sally use the head against Smelly Gabe. Percy
decides to leave for Camp Half-Blood and says goodbye to his mother.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Prophecy Comes True

Percy returns to Camp Half-Blood and is welcomed with praise and celebratory gifts. In a letter,
his mother tells him that Smelly Gabe mysteriously disappeared and she has received a nice
commission on her sculpture. She used the money to buy a new apartment, enroll at NYU, and
hold a spot at a private school in New York for him. With that information, Percy realizes he has
to decide if he wants to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round or return home during the school
year. Later that evening, Grover says goodbye to Annabeth and Percy as he departs on his
search for Pan.

To clear his head and decide what to do in the fall, Percy begins sword training. He sees Luke
fighting dummies with a new sword named Backbiter, a two-sided sword that can kill mortal and
creature. The two boys sit by a tree to talk and Percy gets the impression that Luke is getting
ready to say goodbye. Suddenly, Luke snaps his fingers and a scorpion the size of Percy’s hand
appears from the pit. Luke points out that these scorpions can jump fifteen feet and the stinger
can slice through clothes to kill someone in sixty seconds.

During their conversation, Percy realizes that Luke is the missing piece from his prophesy: the
betrayal of a friend. Luke felt deceived by the gods for sending him on a pity quest—one that
had already been previously fulfilled by Hercules. He was frustrated with the gods for repeating
the same quests when there was so much more out there, so he began to listen to urgings from
Kronos and stole the bolt and the helm during the winter solstice. When caught by Ares, Luke
convinced him that hiding the items would result in a war between the gods. At this point, Luke
admits to summoning the hellhound to attack Percy in order to instill fear in the camp and propel
Percy’s quest. He also admits that part of his plan failed when Percy gave the gifted shoes to
Grover. The shoes were cursed and were supposed to drag Percy and the bolt into Tartarus.

Luke declares that Kronos will rise and that the Olympians will be overthrown. Then he disappears
while Percy tries to fight off the scorpion. Percy slices the scorpion but not before he is stung with
poison. Although Percy tries to heal himself with the creek water, he is saved by Chiron’s magical
nectar. He then tells Annabeth and Chiron about Luke’s deception and vows to take revenge.
16
However, Chiron redirects Percy by pointing out that he will get his justice when the time is right.
Annabeth has reconciled with her family and they arrive to take her home. Percy decides to go
home as well and plans to fight Luke next summer.

Analysis: Chapters Twenty-One & Twenty-Two

Percy’s ability to empathize with different kinds of people, gods, and creatures makes reaching
Olympus a bittersweet experience. He’s able to understand what drives Hades—a desire to be
as important as his brothers in Olympus—and finds that returning the bolt and confronting
Poseidon and Zeus proves to be emotional. Percy tells them his story to get them to understand
what he has been through, and to show that he is aware of being manipulated. Poseidon’s callous
and matter-of-fact tone leaves a bitter taste in Percy’s mouth in regards to the divine side of his
family. They don’t have equal relationships with one another and have no qualms about using
each other for their own means, a stark contrast to Percy’s concept of family.

Freeing his mother from the gods and from Gabe parallels the way in which the mythological
Perseus saves his mother, Danaë, from Polydectes with the head of Medusa. Again, it’s his
empathy that makes the difference, imbuing his mother the courage to take control of her life just
as Percy has.

Percy’s confrontation with Luke reveals how and why Luke has turned to darkness. Luke doesn’t
feel validated by his own identity; his disillusionment and loneliness turn him into a pawn to be
used by the gods, who know Luke is willing to betray those around him. Luke has given in and
embraced the idea that it’s not worth it to be a hero, and that both gods and people are
fundamentally manipulative. Because he has no self-worth or sense of identity, Luke is the epitome
of someone who doesn’t value friendship and can’t be trusted. Luke’s journey mirrors Percy’s in all
buts its end, where they diverge; Percy chooses love and kindness, while Luke does not.

Although Percy has matured and come to a greater understanding of himself, he still has much to
learn. This idea foreshadows a future return to Camp Half-Blood. At the conclusion of the story,
Percy finally feels comfortable with his identity. He is many different things: the son of a mortal
woman, the son of a god, and a teenager who is growing into an adult. He is no more special
than any other person his age, even though others see him as such. While he can’t control
everything in his life, he knows that the way he treats others and his experiences with his new
friends have made him a better person.

17