The Titan's Curse

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

ACTIVITY: “The Council of the Gods”

In this activity, students will simulate the Council of the Gods that happens at the end of The Titan’s Curse, drawing on the novel’s major themes in order to discuss the consequences of heroes’ actions.

Despite seemingly defeating their foes, at the end of the novel Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia are all apparently threatened by the gods, as is the Ophiotaurus. The gods, some of whom are their parents, then debate what the heroes’ fate should be. In this activity, we will act as the gods themselves, ultimately deciding what to do with the heroes.

Part A

First, everyone should draw from a hat the name of one of the gods or goddesses whose children feature prominently in the story: Zeus (Thalia), Poseidon (Percy), Hades (Nico), Athena (Annabeth), and Atlas (Zöe). Consider what that god or goddess is the deity of, and think about how it might affect your decision-making on this council. Finally, discuss the following question: With the prophecy about the children of the Big Three drawing closer as they—and Percy in particular—get closer to their 16th birthdays, what should be done about the potential to destroy the gods?

At first, everyone should take a turn speaking, articulating their initial thoughts and ideas about this problem from their perspective as both a god or goddess and a parent. From there, work together to come to a consensus about what should be done.

Part B

After the Council comes to their decision, come back together as a class and discuss the following questions: 

• How did you balance your perspective as a god or goddess with your role as a parent? Was one more important than the other?
• What does a debate like this tell us about the danger of heroes and the powers that gods and goddesses have over them in this novel and this series?
• Why does Riordan end with this scene and not their victory in the garden? How does the council tie in with other major themes?

Teaching Suggestion: The Council of the Gods at the end of the novel touches on each of the major themes in some way, with Thalia finding family among the Hunters, the gods debating what dangers demigods pose to them, Athena, Zeus, and Poseidon stepping in as parents, and even Thalia’s decision to hug Percy showing how they’ve bonded as children of the Big Three. Encourage students to be creative with their decision-making while also drawing on a variety of scenes and examples from the novel as they articulate their positions.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who might struggle to articulate their position right off the bat, prep for this activity by having each student make a T-chart with pros and cons.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Percy and Thalia frequently fight over Percy’s impulsive decisions.

• How does Percy address his impulsive behavior over the course of the novel? (topic sentence)
• Using three examples from the text, discuss moments when Percy is impulsive or when he realizes the limits of his own abilities.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe how Percy grows during his adventure.

2. Every character has a flaw, whether it’s being too loyal or being too trusting.

• How do flaws affect characters’ actions in this book? (topic sentence)
• Give three examples of how Percy and his friends’ flaws affected them and their journey to rescue Annabeth and Artemis. How did one person’s flaw have consequences for the group as a whole?
• Finally, in your concluding sentence or sentences, connect your essay back to the theme of The Danger of Heroes.

3. Found family is an important theme in this novel.

• How do demigods find a home in unexpected places? (topic sentence)
• What and who provide homes for Percy and his friends? Provide three examples that connect back to your thesis.
• Finally, in your concluding sentence or sentences, consider the problems that lead heroes to needing to find family in unusual ways.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. The heroes’ godly parents rarely praise them; many don’t even talk to them or even claim them as their child. This behavior leads to a great deal of tension between demigods and the Greek gods and goddesses, one that nearly leads to their destruction at the end of this novel. Write an essay in which you analyze the tension between the gods and their children and how Riordan prompts us to think critically about the responsibility these parents should have to their children. Be sure to have a strong central thesis and use at least three examples from the text to support your argument.

2. Zöe comes to respect Percy by the end of the novel, but is Percy the exception rather than the rule? What destruction do heroes leave in their wake when they endeavor to save the day? Write an essay in which you analyze this novel’s critique of heroes, ultimately connecting it back to the theme of The Danger of Heroes. You should use at least three examples from the text and make an argument about whether or not heroes are ultimately a force for good. 

3. The Big Three—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—all agreed not to have children, lest the prophecy about their children’s potential to destroy the gods come true. What are the consequences of this pact? How is life different for the children of the Big Three, especially since Thalia and Percy’s very existence violates that promise? Explore Thalia, Percy, Nico, or even Bianca’s experiences in this book, and write an essay in which you analyze how the lives of the children of the Big Three compare with those of other demigods. Ultimately, connect your essay back to the theme of The Tenuous Relationships Between the Children of the Big Three.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What does Dr. Thorn’s comment that the “Great Stirring” has begun serve in the novel?

A) It helps readers to better understand Dr. Thorn as an antagonist.

B) It builds tension and creates a foreboding tone.

C) It is a red herring, meant to throw off readers.

D) It creates a calm tone as readers know that Percy and his friends will prevail.

2. What is expected of readers since The Titan’s Curse is the third book in the series?

A) That readers have some familiarity with the universe

B) That readers need to be retaught everything about the series

C) That readers expect certain things to happen, like for Percy to defeat Luke

D) That readers expect that the series will soon end

3. Which of the following leads to tension between Greek gods and their children?

A) That the gods are required to claim their children

B) That the gods must appear to their children at least once a year

C) That the gods can choose to send their children to Camp Half-Blood

D) That the gods are not required to claim their children

4. What function does Camp Half-Blood serve for demigods?

A) It is a place of safety where demigods can find a sense of family.

B) It is a place of danger where demigods are constantly put at risk.

C) It is a place of liminality where demigods are only safe for a set period of time.

D) It is a place of happiness where demigods don’t have to worry about the outside world.

5. What point does Mr. D try to make by telling the story of Ariadne?

A) That heroes always save the day, no matter what

B) That sometimes heroes are let down by their friends

C) That heroes’ actions have consequences

D) That the gods are more selfish than heroes

6. Why are Thalia and Percy seen as leaders at Camp Half-Blood automatically?

A) Both of their parents are part of the Big Three.

B) Both of them were voted leaders of their cabins.

C) Both of their parents made them leaders of Camp Half-Blood.

D) Both of them see themselves as leaders.

7. Which of the four major themes in this novel is most evident in the game of Capture the Flag?

A) Parents’ Involvement And Responsibilities In Their Children’s Lives

B) The Danger Of Heroes

C) The Importance Of Found Family

D) The Tenuous Relationships Between The Children Of The Big Three

8. Which of the following describes Zöe’s feelings toward heroes at the start of the novel?

A) Apathy

B) Wariness

C) Gratitude

D) Love

9. How is Atlas able to trick Artemis into carrying the world?

A) By threatening Zöe

B) By vowing to kill Artemis

C) By taking advantage of her flaws

D) By promising to take away her immortality

10. What literary device does Bianca use when she comments that the last time they were in Washington, DC, there wasn’t even a train system?

A) Foreshadowing

B) Allusion

C) Repetition

D) Diction

11. What does Luke try to capitalize on to convince Thalia to summon Bessie?

A) He reminds her of their romantic trip to Camp Half-Blood.

B) He reminds her of their shared resentment of their godly parents.

C) He reminds her that the other gods prefer Percy over her.

D) He reminds her that she could bring her mother back if she does.

12. What did Luke symbolize for Thalia and Annabeth?

A) Found family

B) Camp Half-Blood

C) Their mistakes

D) A normal life

13. Why does Zöe change her view on heroes?

A) She sees Artemis holding up the world.

B) She sees Bianca die for her little brother.

C) She sees Thalia become a Hunter.

D) She sees Percy willing to give up his life for his friends.

14. Which of the following moments shows how Percy has grown throughout the novel?

A) When he decides to leave his station during Capture the Flag

B) When he takes the world from Artemis because he knows that he can’t defeat Atlas

C) When he saves Bessie

D) When he speaks to Aphrodite about his feelings for Annabeth

15. Why does Athena view Percy’s loyalty to those he cares about to be a flaw?

A) She worries that he will be a bad influence on her daughter.

B) She knows that he will never grow to his true potential if he is distracted.

C) She thinks that it could cause him to turn on the gods if someone he loves is in danger.

D) She views him as inferior for thinking with his heart and not his head.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Why is there tension between the gods and the heroes? Choose one instance of tension and explore how this manifests in a difficult power dynamic between parents and children.

2. Compare and contrast Thalia and Annabeth’s views on Luke. How are they similar and different by the end of the novel?