The appropriation of Greek myth in modern narrative fiction has increased in the last ten years, specifically in the young adult genre. Book series such as Oh. My. Gods. and The Goddess Test draw young girls into the world of classical myths, while Percy Jackson and the Olympians captivated an entire generation and introduced them to the complexities and themes of the poll of mythic traditions from Ancient Greece. These new stories that incorporate the mythos help "[re-introduce] an audience to classical mythology, thereby helping them rediscover their value" (Leighton 1). Riordan approaches this by weaving Greek mythology in to American culture and how it might present itself to teenagers in America who are descended from the gods. The
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Since "Buchbinder (2011:128) writes that adaptations are often regarded as barely a step away from plagiarism" (Leighton 60), it's interesting to see how these two points can contradict each other, since Buchbinder seems to be saying that this appropriation of myth is simply plagiarism, while Leighton alludes to the fact that Riordan mixes up the myths enough that his work is still a new creative piece. Leighton does say that this quote is accurate for more modern retellings of Greek myth, including Percy Jackson and the Olympians, since it "retells many of the classical Greek mythological narratives in a contemporary setting" (Leighton 60). Leighton (2014) later says that it is "'new angles' and 'new perspectives' which are central to [the] study of re-discovering and re-imagining classical mythology through Riordan's adaptation and appropriation in [this] saga". Overall, Leighton seems to say that Riordan reworked the myths into his own new creation that took many elements from the classics, but ultimately was its own …show more content…
When he ran out of myths to tell his son, his son asked him to create new story, so he came up with Percy Jackson and Camp Half-Blood. I think that firstly, knowing this background to creating the series, Riordan's main intention was creating a series with a hero that children with learning disabilities could relate to, and help them feel less alienated in society and schools. After the series shot into popularity, though, I feel that he added to his intentions the point of introducing a young audience to the world of mythology to gain their interest in it and help reintroduce them to a world that influences many different cultures. Riordan also uses the myth to impose on readers certain lessons and ideals that can always use some reinforcement, including basic female empowerment, the importance of team work and family values, and respecting traditions and customs of different cultures. The Hunters of Artemis, for example, a recurring group in both Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus, consist of young girls who have sworn chastity to follow Artemis and hunt monsters with her to protect mortals. They are an intimidating to Percy, merely since they are smart, and strong-willed. In every book of the series, the success of the quests that the demigods go on relies on their ability to work together and play off of each other's
Since "Buchbinder (2011:128) writes that adaptations are often regarded as barely a step away from plagiarism" (Leighton 60), it's interesting to see how these two points can contradict each other, since Buchbinder seems to be saying that this appropriation of myth is simply plagiarism, while Leighton alludes to the fact that Riordan mixes up the myths enough that his work is still a new creative piece. Leighton does say that this quote is accurate for more modern retellings of Greek myth, including Percy Jackson and the Olympians, since it "retells many of the classical Greek mythological narratives in a contemporary setting" (Leighton 60). Leighton (2014) later says that it is "'new angles' and 'new perspectives' which are central to [the] study of re-discovering and re-imagining classical mythology through Riordan's adaptation and appropriation in [this] saga". Overall, Leighton seems to say that Riordan reworked the myths into his own new creation that took many elements from the classics, but ultimately was its own …show more content…
When he ran out of myths to tell his son, his son asked him to create new story, so he came up with Percy Jackson and Camp Half-Blood. I think that firstly, knowing this background to creating the series, Riordan's main intention was creating a series with a hero that children with learning disabilities could relate to, and help them feel less alienated in society and schools. After the series shot into popularity, though, I feel that he added to his intentions the point of introducing a young audience to the world of mythology to gain their interest in it and help reintroduce them to a world that influences many different cultures. Riordan also uses the myth to impose on readers certain lessons and ideals that can always use some reinforcement, including basic female empowerment, the importance of team work and family values, and respecting traditions and customs of different cultures. The Hunters of Artemis, for example, a recurring group in both Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus, consist of young girls who have sworn chastity to follow Artemis and hunt monsters with her to protect mortals. They are an intimidating to Percy, merely since they are smart, and strong-willed. In every book of the series, the success of the quests that the demigods go on relies on their ability to work together and play off of each other's