67 pages 2 hours read

Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2005

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Essay Topics

1.

As a son of the sea god Poseidon, Percy possesses many water-related abilities. Pick three of the other Greek gods (including those for whom Camp Half-Blood cabins are only honorary). Based on what those gods have command of, what powers might their children possess and why? Support your analysis with quotations from the text where applicable.

2.

Riordan makes a distinction between “gods” and “God” in Chapter 5. “Gods” are immortal, corporeal beings, whereas “God” is metaphysical. Given how the “gods” operate in the story world, speculate on the existence of “God.” What differences might there be between believing in God and believing in the gods? How might belief affect each differently? Why do you think God is metaphysical while the gods are not? Site the text if applicable.

3.

Throughout The Lightning Thief, humans and the gods are shown to be similar. Do you think Olympian culture and structure models itself after the humans or that humans take after the gods? Why do you think this? Support your position with quotations from the text.