The Lightning Thief

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.

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.

Percy, Annabeth, and Luke struggle with feelings of inadequacy and resentment, and they handle each differently. Compare and contrast how each reacts to the actions of the gods. Why do you think each reacts the way they do? How have events from their pasts (either described in the book or inferred through context) influenced their choices? Based on their actions in The Lightning Thief, what god-related decisions might each make in future installments of the series?

In The Lightning Thief, Riordan incorporates Greek myth into real historical events. Consider events happening in the world now. How might they be explained using Riordan’s version of Greek myth? Which gods and/or monsters might be involved in these events? How might the events change with the influence of Greek myth?

In Chapter 7, Percy observes that gods should do better by their children. Why should being a supreme being mean one makes better choices? Are there other areas in which Riordan’s gods could do better and make better choices? If so, where, what choices, and how? If not, why do you feel this way? Support your position with examples from the text.

Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades are referred to throughout The Lightning Thief as the “Big Three” because they are the most powerful of the gods. Rank them in order from most to least powerful based on their abilities. Why did you choose this order? Support your ranking with examples from the text.

Some of the gods and monsters are more modernized than others. Why do you think Riordan chose to integrate certain characters and elements of Greek myth into the modern world more than others? Why do you think he chose the ones he did? Support your answer with examples from the text.

In The Lightning Thief, humans have polluted both nature and the River Styx. As a result of the polluting of nature, Pan disappeared. What might this suggest about the effect of pollution on the River Styx and, more broadly, the Underworld as a whole? Are these types of pollution the same or different?