Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Lightning Thief, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity, Heroism, and Normalcy
Family
Friendship and Belonging
Godliness vs. Humanity
Summary
Analysis
Mom zooms along in the car, and whenever lightning illuminates the sky, Percy stares at Grover’s lower half. He asks if Grover and Mom know each other. Grover says they’ve never met, but Mom was aware that he was watching Percy. Grover assures Percy that their friendship is real, however. Percy is shocked to learn that Grover is a satyr, like in Mr. Brunner’s myths. Grover insists that nothing Percy has seen is a myth, but the less Percy knew, the fewer monsters he’d attract. He explains that they tried to use Mist to obscure what was going on, but Percy is starting to realize what he is. They hear the bellowing noise again. Percy asks who’s after him, and Grover says that it’s the Lord of the Dead and some bloodthirsty minions. Mom scolds Grover.
Though Grover’s explanation makes logical, objective sense, the fact remains that being in the dark for so long makes Percy less willing to trust Mom, Grover, and his own perception of the odd things he sees. Grover’s insistence that their friendship is real makes it clear that friendships can begin in all manner of unconventional ways—though Percy also has to be willing to trust that Grover is telling the truth if their friendship is to continue. Meanwhile, the idea that Percy isn’t seeing things allows Percy to begin trusting himself, rather than questioning everything he sees. This helps him to feel more secure in who he is.
Themes
Percy thinks he could never come up with a dream this weird on his own. Mom says that they’re going to the summer camp she mentioned because Percy is in danger. Incredulously, Percy asks if they’re going because some old ladies cut yarn, but Grover says that the ladies they saw were the Fates—and they only appear when someone is about to die. The boys argue about whether Grover means Percy in particular or any person, but a quick swerve makes them stop. Percy tries to make sense of what’s happening, but just as he thinks of the sword Mr. Brunner tossed him, the car swerves into a ditch. Lightning rips open the roof. Percy and Mom are fine, but Grover is motionless and bleeding.
Even though Percy feels understandably unwilling to trust Mom and Grover’s insistence that strange and terrible things are happening, it’s worth considering that Mom and Grover are doing everything in their power to protect Percy. This speaks to the power of friends and of family to protect loved ones—and to work together to protect, support, and guide individuals.
Themes
Percy looks back and sees a huge man walking toward them. The man seems to be holding a fuzzy blanket over his head, and his raised hands look like horns. Mom tells Percy to get out of the car and points out a big tree at the top of a nearby hill. She says it’s the property line; Percy must run to the farmhouse on the other side. Percy realizes that Mom isn’t coming with him. When he looks back, he also realizes that the man doesn’t have a blanket over his head—the big, fuzzy, horned mass is his head. Percy refuses to leave Grover, so Mom finally agrees to help, and the three start up the hill. Percy looks back and gets a good look at the monster. He starts to say that it’s the Minotaur, but Mom shushes him and says that names have power.
Because Percy doesn’t know what he’s seeing (and has been taught that he shouldn’t believe what he’s seeing), it’s natural for him to make up something that makes sense. This is why he initially describes the Minotaur as having a blanket over his head and his hands up—this is the only thing that makes sense to someone who doesn’t understand that the Minotaur is real. As Percy learns that the Minotaur and other monsters are indeed real, he simultaneously begins to trust himself more and become more secure in his identity.
Themes
The Minotaur sniffs around the car; Mom explains that he goes on scent. The monster roars and tosses the Camaro down the road, where it explodes. Then, he starts up the hill. Mom tells Percy that the Minotaur can’t change directions quickly once he’s charging, so Percy must leap out of the way sideways. Mom says that she’s been selfishly keeping Percy close, and the Minotaur begins to charge up the hill. Percy leaps away, but the Minotaur heads for Mom and Grover. Percy can see the farmhouse on the other side of the hill and knows they won’t make it. Mom puts Grover down and starts to back down the hill. She tries to sidestep, but the Minotaur picks her up. Mom dissolves in gold light.
Mom’s face makes it abundantly clear to Percy that being a part of the divine world will have major consequences for the people he loves. Simply associating with the gods, he learns, makes maintaining relationships with his family exceedingly difficult. In this moment, Mom must also face the consequences of associating with the gods—and of trying to keep her family together in a distinctly mortal way. Trying to get around something that she seems to know was going to happen at some point was, she suggests, futile.
Themes
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Percy is angry now, not afraid. The Minotaur approaches Grover, so Percy rips off his red jacket and shouts insults at the Minotaur. Instead of dodging the charge, Percy somehow jumps straight up. The Minotaur slams into a pine tree, and Percy lands on his neck. Percy realizes that the Minotaur can only go forward. As it turns for Grover, Percy grabs a horn and rips it off. The Minotaur throws him and then charges, but Percy drives the horn into the monster’s side. It dissolves into dust. The rain stops. Percy grabs Grover and starts down the hill, calling for Mom. He collapses on a porch with a girl named Annabeth and a familiar-seeming man.
Despite Percy’s legitimate concerns about his relationship with Grover, his choice here shows that he’s nevertheless a loyal friend. Even though he has no idea what he’s doing, he still understands that it’s important to protect and stand up for those he considers friends—especially when it seems like all his family is gone. Though Percy thinks he has no idea what he’s doing, it’s important to note that he’s acting instinctively: as a half-blood, he knows how to fight and handle monsters.
Themes
