Why Percy Is So Different In PJO and HOO
Start writing a post
Identities

Why Percy Is So Different In 'Percy Jackson' vS 'Heroes of Olympus'

A look at two separate boys with the same name.

6997
Why Percy Is So Different In 'Percy Jackson' vS 'Heroes of Olympus'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtcdvvoTn-k

There are three different versions of Percy Jackson: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Percy, Heroes of Olympus Percy, and Trials of Apollo Percy. These are not the same character in the least, whether they share the same name or not.

One of the narrative techniques that makes Percy Jackson genuinely unique is the fact that its narrator has a distinctly different inner voice and outer voice. His inner monologues are highly opinionated, comedic, and loud, but as soon as he opens his mouth, an actual rare occurrence, he's far more serious, angry, and closed off, hardly saying a joke unless it's under his breath. Just a glance at the first chapter of the first book shows this: a long introduction filled with comedy and sarcasm, all leading up to his first line of dialogue: "I'm going to kill her." He is, like most people and especially most quiet people, a different person on the inside than he is on the outside, and we only know this because he's graciously invited us into his mind.

With the introduction of the second series in Rick Riordan's Greco-Roman mythology fantasia, Heroes of Olympus, Percy's personality started to change. This second series was no longer in first person, but in third person, with each chapter shifting into the perspective of another character, one of those characters being Percy. At first, this doesn't present a problem. Percy appears in the second book of the new series without his memories, so, for the most part, he remains quiet. He is frightened, angry at the world for doing this to him, and unsure of himself, so, naturally, his demeanor echoes his original one. Any slips in characterization can easily be waved off as a result of his personality slowly coming back to him.

By the time the third of the series comes out and Percy's memory has fully returned to him as if it never left, though, it's clear that something has gone wrong in Percy's personality. He talks often and talks loudly, and his style of speech itself morphs into a constant string of jokes and clueless comments without a hint of the dialogue ticks that made him special in the first place.

So, once I realized this, my first question was, "what happened here?"

My theory: This isn't just the first time we are seeing Percy outside of his perspective, this is the first time Rick truly saw Percy from an outside perspective, and he didn't know how to handle him. If he left Percy as he was in PJO, none of that interior thought would come through. He would be quiet, angry, and resentful, with a few rare self-deprecating jokes thrown in for good measure.

I, personally, would not be completely opposed to this. I would, obviously, prefer Percy's original narration, both because I enjoy it and because I think Rick has a real knack for first person narration, but it would be interesting to actually see the "crooked smile," the dark, brooding resting face that get him labeled a troublemaker before he speaks a word. The eight other narrators introduced in this series have the comedic bones to keep the show running. Percy can stay true to his original personality and only expose some of that inner monologue in his POV chapters.

This idea doesn't seem to have sat well with Rick, though. In an attempt to pull some of Percy's old narration into the regular story, he pulled some of Percy's inner personality onto the outside and, in doing so, created a completely different character. Of the people I've talked to about this, whether or not they realize the distance between Percy's inner thoughts and outer expression, they all know the way Percy is acting is wrong, subconsciously. It gets to a point where, when the old aspects of Percy's personality start to come back out in the fourth book, House of Hades, it can feel unnatural. Percy isn't Percy in Heroes of Olympus because he's a completely separate character of Rick's invention.

If Percy acts like this outwardly where his personality would have stopped him originally, his interior monologue must be different than it was before. If that's true, then the character we meet in HOO is not Percy at all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

5909
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

7755
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Rap Songs With A Deeper Meaning

Rap is more than the F-bomb and a beat. Read what artists like Fetty, Schoolboy Q, Drake, and 2Pac can teach you.

25700
Rap artist delivers performance on stage
Photo by Chase Fade on Unsplash

On the surface, rap songs may carry a surface perception of negativity. However, exploring their lyrics reveals profound hidden depth.Despite occasional profanity, it's crucial to look beyond it. Rap transcends mere wordplay; these 25 song lyrics impart valuable life lessons, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional perception of rap music.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

Maybe don't try them all in one day...

4816
21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

My 21st birthday is finally almost here. In honor of finally turning 21, I thought I'd share 21 fun drinks since it's finally legal for me to drink them.

Some of these drinks are basic, but some of them are a little more interesting. I thought they all looked pretty good and worth trying, so choose your favorites to enjoy at your big birthday bash!

Keep Reading...Show less
Politics

Ancient Roman Kings: 7 Leaders of Early Rome

The names and dates of the reigns of the first four kings, as well as the alternation of Sabin and Latin names, are more legendary than historical. The last three kings, of Etruscan origin, have an existence which seems less uncertain.

6450
inside ancient roman building
Photo by Chad Greiter on Unsplash

It is evident that all this is only a legend although archeology shows us little by little that these kings if they did not exist as the ancient history, describes them, have at least in the very Outlines were real as chief of a shepherd’s tribe. The period when kings ruled Rome could estimate at 245 years.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments