Traditions and Customs Quotes in The Lightning Thief

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

As we got closer to Montauk, she seemed to grow younger, years of worry and work disappearing from her face. Her eyes turned the color of the sea. (3.86)

Sally Jackson is not just any mortal. Throughout the story, we see instances and moments in which she is almost seems like a half-blood herself. She understands the ways of the immortal world really well. Her eyes in this moment reflect her love for and history with Poseidon. Can you think of or dig up examples of gods who had flings with mortals? What happened to the mortal after the fling?

Quote #5

"Those weren't old ladies," Grover said. "Those were the Fates. Do you know what it means—the fact that they appeared in front of you? They only do that when you're about to…when someone's about to die." (4.37)

Fate is deeply ingrained in the tradition of the Greek gods. Because they are immortal, knowing what is going to happen in the future is really important. But even the gods can't just know their Fate all the time. The Oracle that speaks to Percy speaks almost in code or in riddles, making it really easy for him to misinterpret the Oracle.

Quote #6

"What you may not know is that great powers are at work in your life. Gods—the forces you call the Greek gods—are very much alive." (5.105)

It's kind of eerie hearing Chiron say that there are "great powers" at work in Percy's life. Can you imagine someone telling you there are great powers at work in your life? How would it make you feel? This is the moment when Chiron really lays it out for Percy: the gods exist and they are active. Percy's world is completely rocked at this moment and his understanding of the world completely changes.