To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”
Save to my list
Remove from my list
Journeys are moments in life that define and reconstruct the myths created about ourselves and others. In J.K. Rowling’s, Harry Potter, and Rick Riordan’s, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, both of the main characters embark on a journey in which they find out their true destiny. After comparing the two compositions, it is clearly evident that the characters, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, experience different yet similar journeys. They both have challenging journeys that begin with early struggle, they are assisted by two side characters as well as resources where they can work on their skills, safe from the outside world.
To begin with, both protagonists experience an external struggle during the beginning of their journey.
When comparing the two stories, it is evident that there is a case of bullying within the family. Although Percy’s mother is loving, his stepdad treats him like a pile of garbage and does not respect him. Percy, speaking discourteously toward his stepdad explains, “He just kept on collecting paychecks, spending the money on cigars that made me nauseous, and on beer, of course...he expected me to provide his gambling funds.
Verified writer
Proficient in: Journey
5 (893)
“ Thank you so much for accepting my assignment the night before it was due. I look forward to working with you moving forward ”
He called that our "guy secret." Meaning, if I told my mom, he would punch my lights out” (Riordan chapter 3). Likewise, Harry Potter also lives with disrespectful family members. Harry’s guardians are insensitive and treat him as a pet instead of a human being. This is demonstrated in the first harry potter movie where The Dursley, Harry's stepfamily forces him to perform many house chores.
Not only do the Dursley family shun's Harry by banning him from the dinner table, they also force him to sleep under stairs although there are several empty rooms (harry potter and the sorcerer's stone 00:04:10). This indicates that family members create major stress and depression for the protagonists, starting their journey off in a slow and painful way. Next, both heroes do not know their actual parents or parent. Percy Jackson not knowing his father creates a deeper relationship between him and his mother. The mother states that he left them and did not return. Talking in his mind Percy states “I felt angry at my father. Maybe it was stupid, but I resented him for going on that ocean voyage, for not having the guts to marry my mom. He'd left us, and now we were stuck with Smelly Gabe" ( Riordan chapter 3). In contrast, Harry not knowing either one of his parents causes the feeling of loneliness and isolation in the outside world - the world without wizardry. Growing up, Harry Potter was not accepted by his friends or family members.
The experience of having no parents develops independence among the protagonists which is a crucial skill in their quest. Finally, their family members have hidden the heroes true potential which causes problems for the protagonist down the road. For the simple reason of disgust toward wizards, Harry’s guardians decide to hide the truth from Harry that he is a wizard. This leads to many problems such as Harry accidentally performing magic without even realizing it. In the first movie, Harry puts his stepbrother and the people around him in danger as he releases the deadly snake by causing the window to disappear (harry potter and the sorcerer's stone 00:06:10). Similarly, Percy being unaware of his abilities, causes complications that will almost lead him to failure. This also leaves him in a vulnerable position where enemies can attack him. Percy explains, “During third grade, a man in a black trench coat had stalked me on the playground. When the teachers threatened to call the police, he went away growling, but no one believed me when I told them that under his broad-brimmed hat, the man only had one eye... In every single school, something creepy had happened, something unsafe, and I was forced to move” ( Riordan Chapter 4). The secrets their family wishes to keep cause major damages to the heroes and the people around them. All in all, both characters early struggle started shaping their beginning of the hero's journey
Furthermore the steps demanded to complete the hero’s journey are extremely dangerous and overwhelming for the average twelve-year-old. The heroes have to face the most menacing evils portrayed in their respected storyline. Percy Jackson is forced to face several monsters leading up to Hades and Ares. Not feeling fear, Percy says he was waiting with anticipation from the start due to, "the desire for revenge” ( Riordan Chapter 3). He then goes on to explain,“Hades had tried to kill me three times so far, with the Fury, the Minotaur, and the hellhound” ( Riordan Chapter 3). Likewise, Harry Potter faces the same villain throughout his whole journey, Voldemort. He has been torturing Harry ever since birth. If it was not for determination and quick thinking, Harry would surely be defeated. The confidence and perseverance these heroes portray are important when trying to overcome the nearly impossible task awaiting them. Furthermore, the heroes gradually become powerful from the experiences in their journey due to the overwhelming evil they encounter. Percy’s previous awakening of his god power and learning not to run away contributed a lot when he finally faces the god of war, Ares.
At the start of the fight, Ares does not take Percy seriously so he conjures up a giant boar to deal with him. He states, "The boar's severed right tusk fell at my feet, while the disoriented animal charged into the sea. I shouted, ‘Wave!’ Immediately, a wave surged up from nowhere and engulfed the boar... The beast squealed once in terror. Then it was gone, swallowed by the sea" ( Riordan Chapter 20). In comparison, Harry was not considered an exceptional student, he was average at the most. He's also not considered to be exceptionally bright. Harry was considered a great wizard as Snape stated it would take, "a very powerful wizard" (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2:15). to cast the Patronus spell and Harry casted it to chase away multiple dementors at once. Thus showing how Harry and Percy did not have to put a lot of effort compared to their colleagues to get stronger. The power their parents pass on, awakened within them in the life and death situation during their quest. Finally, both protagonists receive prophecy that dictates the future of the world. Percy is given a quest to find where the bolt really is, and then he must return it to Olympus by the summer solstice. Percy speaks to the Oracle, who tells him, "You shall go west, and face the god who has turned. You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned. You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend. And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end" ( Riordan Chapter 3). After this, Percy has to go to the underworld to retrieve it, and the gateway to the underworld is currently in Los Angeles. Even though he has only ten days to complete his prophecy, Harry Potter seems to spend his whole childhood completing his destiny. Sybill Trelawney, a wizard professor reversed the first prophecy, also known as the Lost Prophecy to Albus Dumbledore. This prophecy is about Harry Potter, It referred to a boy who would be born at the end of July in 1980, who had the power to defeat Lord Voldemort. It is referenced at the end of the Second Wizarding War. This is why Voldemort wanted to kill Harry Potter when he was an infant in hopes of destroying the prophecy and staying in power. The hero's birth made a big impact toward the outcome of humanity. The prophecy could have easily-not been accepted and assigned to someone else based on the fact they are just juvenile delinquents. The fact that they did demonstrate that they are brave and acquire a desire for adventure.
Moving on, both Percy Jackson and Harry Potter would not have been able to complete their quest if it was not for the help of their two companions. Throughout numerous quests, the protagonist is assisted by two close characters that support him through his dangerous tasks. The first friend that Harry and Percy made is considered feeble-minded and non wealthy, however, the companions act courageous and clever when it comes to protecting their friends. Like all of his siblings, Ronald Weasley is home educated in reading, writing, and simple math by his mother. The Weasley family was not wealthy at all, compared to other wizard families. In his first year of wizardry, he quickly became friends with Harry Potter.
Growing up together as kids, they developed a deep bond and later on become friends with Hermione Granger. Together, they face many challenges during their adolescence, including keeping the Philosopher's Stone from Professor Quirinus Quirrell, saving Ginny from the Basilisk of the Chamber of Secrets at one moment. Ron cares for Harry so much, he is willing to die for him, which he displays by shouting to Voldemort, "If you want to kill Harry, you’ll have to kill me" (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 02:15:22). Acts of bravery are also evident in Percy's best friend, Grover - the satyr who looks over young demigods such as Percy Jackson. Grover, unfortunately, was not good at his job, allowing many juvenile demigods to die. Wanting redemption, he attempts the ultimate sacrifice; telling Percy to leave him in the Underworld and to use a magic escape pearl on Sally Jackson instead of him. Grover states, "I'm a satyr…We don't have souls like humans do. Hades can torture me until I die, but he won't get me forever. I'll just be reincarnated as a flower or something. It's the best way." ( Riordan Chapter 19). This is interesting because it seems as if Grover has a soul. He has a large capacity to love and understand the world around him. The fact that he is even offering to stay in the Underworld in order to save Sally Jackson and complete the quest displays his generosity and selflessness. Comparably, Ron's actions seem very expected as a best friend to Harry. On a journey, a loyal companion is the key factor in succeeding. Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are also accompanied by wise and cocky female characters. These characters are the most knowledgeable out of the three and always seem to have a plan.
Even though Annabeth is Percy's friend, she is also considered his competitor. Since Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, Goddess of wisdom and battle, she developed a strong understanding of fighting tactics and intellects towards Greek mythology, Percy describes her as, "Her eyes ruined the image. They were startling gray, like storm clouds; pretty, but intimidating, too, as if she were analyzing the best way to take me down in a fight” ( Riordan chapter 5). In comparison, Hermione Granger was noted for being extremely intelligent and hardworking; coming out on top in most of her classes and continuously aiding Harry and Ron in their adventures. Unlike most wizards who depend solely on their magical ability, Hermione also relies on logic. This often helps her cleverly deduce information that many others miss. This skill is extremely useful in the second movie in The Harry Potter Chronicles: The Chamber of Secrets. Although she was paralyzed, Hermione was able to help Harry and Ron. She tore out a page scribbled on it "pipes", which is referencing to the manner in which the creature moves around the school undetected. Using this notes information, Harry and Ron were able to end Lord Voldemort's plans to resurrect. Harry and Ron would have died several times over if it were not for Hermione's adaptability in arbitrary scenarios. Hermione's gift has developed through hard work and pays off dramatically while Annabeth obtains her ability from her mother. Annabeth’s powers and wits play a huge role in the completion of Percy's quest, which is ironic because Athena would never do that for Percy's father, Poseidon. In short, both Harry Potter and Percy Jackson complete their journeys as a result of being accompanied by their two friends.
As a final point, during the protagonist’s travels, they attain various resources that help them work on their craft hidden from the outside world. Both heroes spend many months in a schooling environment that is unknown to ordinary humans. During their youth, Harry and his friends attended the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Hogwarts. Harry’s adventures often circulate around Hogwarts and provide them with information. Ron's opinion of Hermione's personality "That's what Hermione does. When in doubt, go to the library."(Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 00:53:25). In comparison, Percy Jackson goes camping during the summer accompanied by Grover. Camp Half-Blood is a demigod training department placed among the Long Island Sound. Percy consciously states “I simply couldn't process everything I was seeing. The landscape was dotted with buildings that looked like ancient Greek architecture—an open-air pavilion, and amphitheater, a circular arena—except that they all looked brand new, their white marble columns sparkling in the sun" ( Riordan chapter 5). In their mind, Percy and Harry felt they were home because they were surrounded by friends that are just as unordinary and special as them. If they never attended these schooling environments their journey in life would not have been so positive and spontaneous. Moving on, both protagonists are accompanied by mentors that treat them as their own son.
Harry Potter’s most impactive mentor would have been Rubeus Hagrid. At the sudden passing of the First Wizarding War, Albus Dumbledore sent Hagrid to retrieve a one-year-old Harry Potter from the ruins of his house in Godric's Hollow, after Lord Voldemort murdered both James and Lily Potter. Hagrid knowing it’s Harry's birthday surprises him with the cake and the fact that he is a wizard. Hagrid at numerous moments came close to losing his temper with Vernon, Harry’s step Dad, due to repeated insults against magic. He finally lost it when Vernon dared to insult Albus Dumbledore, calling him a "crackpot old fool" Hagrid then stating in a threatening tone "Never... insult... Albus Dumbledore... in front of me!" (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 00:11:13). Along the way Hagrid helped Harry find his bearings in the magical world by taking him to Diagon Alley, through the Leaky Cauldron, to buy his school necessities. During this process, he teaches Harry the essences of wizardry and what it implies. On the other hand, Percy’s mentor is just as helpful and kind hearted. Chiron, also known as Mr. Brunner is the centaur who watches and looks after Percy from the creature Hades who wants to kill him. He tries to train Percy as much as possible and hopes that Percy was not the son of Poseidon. Due to his dad being Poseidon, he was forced to send Percy on his quest. He was disappointed of not being able to train him more as he did with other heroes before Percy. Hagrid showed Harry kindness for the first time ever, bringing him a birthday cake and generally caring about Harry's comfort and happiness in a way the Dursleys, Harry’s stepfamily, would never consider. In contrast, Chiron shows his love by pushing Percy to get stronger and to be better than everyone else knowing it will help him on his journey. The mentors place a solid foundation for their students that were effectively used to finish their journey.
Overall, after connecting the pieces, it is clearly evident that the main characters, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, are involved in unique yet related journeys because of the hero's challenging journeys begin with a struggle, making close friends that support them through quests and eventually receive help from trustworthy resources. J.K. Rowling’s, Harry Potter, and Rick Riordan’s, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, both support the idea that everyone is on a different journey in life and that no one's journey is easy.
Life Mission Of A Hero: Comparing Characters Of Percy Jackson And Harry Potter. (2024, Feb 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/life-mission-of-a-hero-comparing-characters-of-percy-jackson-and-harry-potter-essay
👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!
Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.
get help with your assignment
