Percy Jackson The Lightning Thief

Ch2 Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death

Vocabulary

1. Hallucination - a sensory experience of something that does not exist outside the

mind. (Look, Percy ... I was just worried for you, see? I mean, hallucinating about

demon math teachers.)

2. Compulsively - driven by an irresistible inner force to do something repeatedly.

3. Delinquent - a young person who frequently commits minor legal offenses.

(They were juvenile delinquents, like me. )

4. Eavesdrop - to secretly listen to a conversation.

(I’m not usually an eavesdropper, but I dare you to try not listening if you hear your

best friend talking about you to an adult.)

5. Feverish - having or showing the symptoms of a fever; also can imply a state of

heightened energy or excitement.

(Once we got going, I started feeling feverish, as if I'd caught the flu.)

6. Mournfully - feeling or expressing sorrow or grief.

(He looked at me mournfully, like he was already picking the kind of flowers I’d like

best on my coffin.)

Greek Mythology

The Three Fates (The Moirai)

Kronos / Cronus

Charon and the Underworld

1. Percy overhears a conversation that suggests he is in some kind of danger. What

clues does the author provide to indicate that Percy's life is at risk? Consider the

reactions of the characters in your answer.

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2. The text mentions "The Mist" over the students and staff at Percy's school. What do

you think "The Mist" might represent in the story? How does it affect the characters'

perception of reality?

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3. Grover gives Percy a business card. What does it read? Discuss how the title might

affect Percy's understanding of his friend and their relationship.

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4. The three old ladies cutting the yarn seem to hold significance in the story. What do

you think this act symbolizes, and how might it relate to Percy's future or the

overarching plot of the book?

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1. The author gives several hints that Percy is in danger. The most direct clue comes from
the conversation Percy eavesdrops on between Mr. Brunner and Grover. Mr. Brunner
mentions keeping Percy alive until the next autumn, which directly implies a threat to
Percy’s life. Additionally, Grover's anxious behavior and Mr. Brunner’s reference to a
deadline connected to the summer solstice add a sense of urgency and peril. Their evasive
and cryptic comments about Percy's safety and future, along with their careful planning, are
clear indicators that Percy is more than just a troubled student; he's a character central to a
larger, more dangerous plot.

2. "The Mist" might represent a magical veil that conceals the true nature of the gods and
monsters from the mortal world in the story. It seems to be a metaphor for the ignorance or
unawareness of the general population regarding the mythological events happening around
them. The characters who are aware of 'The Mist' and what lies beyond it treat Percy
differently, hinting that they know he is part of that hidden world. It affects the perception of
reality by creating a dual existence—one that's ordinary and another that's filled with
ancient Greek myths coming to life.

3. Grover’s business card reads “Grover Underwood, Keeper, Half-Blood Hill, Long Island,
New York.” This title of "Keeper" might reveal that Grover has a protective or guardianship
role over Percy. It could indicate that Grover is not just a friend or schoolmate but someone
with a responsibility towards Percy's well-being. This revelation may change Percy’s
perception of Grover, seeing him not only as a friend but also as someone with a specific
role in the mysterious world Percy is just beginning to discover.

4. The act of the three old ladies cutting the yarn is highly symbolic and is likely a reference
to the Fates or Moirai from Greek mythology, who controlled the life and death of humans.
The snipping of the yarn by the old lady, especially given Grover's reaction, suggests that
someone's life is going to be cut short or a significant change is imminent. This could
foreshadow a pivotal event in Percy’s life, potentially relating to his destiny or the trials he
will face. It signifies that Percy's path is intertwined with the decisions of higher powers,
much like the heroes in the myths he's learning about.