Characters: The Lightning Thief

This is the alliance of three that prove that
friendship can accomplish any mission.
(From left to Right, Annabeth, Percy, and
Grover)

               In Rick Riordan's, The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson is a complex dynamic character that the reader may be able to connect with. The following paragraphs are my interpretation of why Percy Jackson is a dynamic character.
               In the beginning of the story, we learn that Percy is challenged with disorders such as dyslexia and ADHD. He is constantly changing schools due to his lack of focus, and he seems to always get himself into trouble. At first, he seems shy and lonely and the only person he cares genuinely about is his mom, and his best friend Grover. Percy does not know anything about his past when one day at school, something incredibly unusual occurs. Percy's teacher turns into a Greek monster and Percy is nearly a victim of her wrath. After he escapes the pandemonium, Grover takes Percy home and Percy's mother starts to drive somewhere Percy does not know about. In this phase of the book, Percy is really scared and doubts himself. He is also frustrated with himself because he feels like he screwed up at school again.

               During their drive, a large unknown monster appears and destroys their car. Percy and Grover run away and pass through a force field, leaving Percy's mom behind. Percy is petrified and angry because he did nothing to save his mother. He fears the worst and thinks his mother is dead. When Grover and Percy venture further into the woods, they come across Camp Half-Blood. A Greek camp of so-called demigods, or children of gods and mortals. Percy finds out he is the son of Poseidon and his whole life changes. The power he feels in this moment makes him become courageous and he tries to set out and save his mother.

               At the camp, Grover and Percy meet Chiron, the camp counselor. They also meet Annabeth, daughter of Athena. Percy, Grover, and Annabeth form an alliance to try and save Percy's mother and ask Chiron for permission. Chiron allows them to go on the mission as long as they agree to one other term. They must find Zeus' missing lightning bolt, and find the thief who stole it. Percy is disheartened and angry when he hears this, because all he wanted to do was save his mother, but now he must also take on a bigger task. This characterization of Percy advances the plot because it is leading to the climax of when they try to save Percy's mother.

               When the three set off on a mission, Grover reveals he is a satyr, and his sole purpose is to protect Percy. Annabeth wants to save Percy's mother, because she had experienced a similar moment in her life when she lost her father. This characterization of Annabeth in relation to Percy creates a theme in that friendship creates strong bonds between people that can help accomplish any mission no matter the difficulty of the situation at hand.