Identity

‘I wish he could see you, Percy. He would be so proud.’ 
I wondered how she could say that. What was so great about me? A dyslexic, hyperactive boy with a D+ report card, kicked out of school for the sixth time in six years.

These lines appear in Chapter Three while Percy is talking to his mother about his birth father. Percy’s narration demonstrates the ways in which his identity has been shaped by how others view him. All he has been able to see so far is that others consider him a troubled boy with a learning disability. His mother, on the other hand, can see how wonderful Percy is by looking below the surface. She sees him for all he is and what he can be rather than what he is not. Percy has suffered by trusting figures of authority to determine his worth throughout his young life, preventing him from uncovering the truth and instead forcing him to live behind the damaging notion that he is nothing more than a problem. 

The only thing I really excelled at was canoeing, and that wasn’t the kind of heroic skill people expected to see from the kid who had beaten the Minotaur.

This quote appears in Chapter Eight shortly after Percy settles into Camp Half-Blood. Here, he believes that although he may have done something heroic, nothing will help alter his identity or how others see him. He still believes that nothing he does will be good enough and that he is inferior to others, despite his best efforts. This quote demonstrates Percy’s low self-esteem, as he continues to view himself by the world’s standards. He believes that, especially among other demigods, and following his misadventure with the Minotaur, he has something to prove, but also believes he will never be good enough to satisfy himself or anyone else.

Just when I’d started to feel accepted, to feel I had a home in cabin eleven and I might be a normal kid—or as normal as you can be when you’re a half-blood—I’d been separated out as if I had some rare disease.

This quotation appears at the beginning of Chapter Nine after Percy moves to a separate cabin following the revelation that his father is Poseidon. Prior to learning about his father, Percy feels alone at the camp, as he is an outsider who does not know his father’s identity. At first, Percy believes that, once he is claimed by his father, he will start to feel restored in his identity by having that missing piece of the puzzle put in place. This is not the case; he feels even more isolated because knowing who his father is further separates him from the other campers. He now has to figure out how being Poseidon’s son will shape his identity as a demigod. This quote also addresses Percy’s hesitation to fully recognize that he is a half-blood. He has always felt like an outsider, but now he has an even bigger reason to feel alone. Being a half-blood drives Percy further from the “normalcy” with which he once identified.

Do Not Underestimate Yourself or Others

Mr. Brunner expected me to be as good as everyone else, despite the fact that I have dyslexia and attention deficit disorder and I had never made above a C– in my life. No—he didn't expect me to be as good; he expected me to be better.

This quotation appears in Chapter One at the art museum. Here, Percy has just spoken with his favorite teacher, Mr. Brunner, who had been asking him questions about Greek mythology. Percy starts to reflect on his life now that he realizes someone else believes he has much more potential than he has ever been given credit for. He has become accustomed to being defined by his learning disabilities, yet here, someone he admires sees more to him than he sees. Mr. Brunner’s recognition reminds Percy he has to learn to trust himself if he wants to be taken seriously and to not let others undermine his worth.

‘Grover has big dreams, Percy. But perhaps bigger than are reasonable. To reach his goal, he must first demonstrate great courage by succeeding as a keeper, finding a new camper and bringing him safely to Half-Blood Hill.’
‘But he did that.’
‘I might agree with you,’ Chiron said. ‘But it is not my place to judge.’

This dialogue appears in Chapter Six as Percy defends Grover’s job as a keeper to Chiron. Percy worries that the Council of Cloven Elders and Dionysus will only see Grover for what they consider a failed job in the past rather than all the ways he has helped Percy. Percy sees more to Grover than just an anxious friend who was unable to save Percy’s mother. Instead, Percy recognizes his friend for the bravery and compassion he has shown to him. Percy wants Grover to be known and seen for his efforts rather than for the outcome. Percy also does not want Grover to be in trouble or underestimated for events that were out of Grover’s control. It reminds Percy of all the times he was blamed and reprimanded for events that were not his fault. Therefore, he has compassion for Grover and seeks to ensure that Grover is not being mistreated or overlooked by his superiors.

The Importance of Trust and Collaboration

‘Die, faithless one,’ Echidna rasped, and the Chimera sent a column of flame toward my face.
‘Father, help me,’ I prayed. I turned and jumped. My clothes on fire, poison coursing through my veins, I plummeted toward the river.

This dialogue ends Chapter Thirteen with Percy escaping from several monsters, and it marks the first time Percy truly asks anything of his father. His quote demonstrates both the courage it takes for Percy to trust that his father will protect him from harm as well as Percy’s definitive acceptance of his status as a demigod, as he prays that the water will heal him from any wounds he already bears. This plea indicates that Percy trusts his father enough to keep him safe while he continues on his quest, knowing that he cannot successfully fulfill this quest on his own, and that Percy must claim his father just as his father has claimed him. Percy’s prayer for help is even more significant because when Percy first entered Camp Half-Blood, he admitted that he did not believe in the gods. However, Percy’s quest, and this moment in particular, has changed his perspective.

‘We will not sit back. But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unraveled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger. Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come. You’ll have to trust me, Percy. You will live.’

This quotation appears in Chapter Twenty-Two after Percy wakes up from Luke’s attack. Percy informs Chiron and Annabeth of Luke’s betrayal and wants to get revenge on Luke and Kronos before it is too late. This quote demonstrates the trust that Percy must have in himself as well as in Chiron before making an informed decision about next steps. Throughout the story, Percy is frequently betrayed by people he trusted, but here he must decide whether or not to listen to his role model. Percy also has to trust in himself to keep his emotions under control and not let Kronos take advantage or undermine him. Chiron guides Percy to make decisions that will not only benefit the world, but also keep Percy safe. 

‘Fly, like in an airplane, which you were warned never to do lest Zeus strike you out of the sky, and carrying a weapon that has more destructive power than a nuclear bomb?’

‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘Pretty much exactly like that. Come on.’

This dialogue occurs at the end of Chapter Twenty as Percy and his friends depart to Mount Olympus to return the master bolt. Annabeth is worried that they will be struck down by Zeus if they depart by plane, but Percy recognizes that they do not have any other choice at this point if they are to return the master bolt before the summer solstice. Even though he is scared of Zeus’s wrath, Percy takes the plane. This represents his trust and faith in the gods for pardon and protection. This trust in Zeus shows Percy’s growth as a character, as he decides to have more faith in himself and the gods rather than operate solely out of fear or anger. To continue their journey, he must trust in the gods to carry him through safely so he can complete his quest, but he must also use his own judgment and skills to rightfully return the bolt.
 

Take a Study Break