Food of the gods: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Let's take a look at a popular low-fantasy: "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan. 

So, between fighting the Minotaur and undergoing dangerous quests this popular series uses food as feature of comfort and stability. I mean who wouldn't want to eat the food of the gods at the expense of almost dying every other day, right...?

Percy Jackson is a demigod, the slogan Riordan uses explains this he's... well, "Half-god, Half mortal, All Hero." This fantasy fiction follows the adventures of a demigod that finds himself being hurled into the world of the Greek gods, having to learn the necessary skills required to survive as a demigod in the modern world.

In regards to the theme of food, it is established as a mean of affection early on between Percy and his mother, Sally Jackson, and as an act of rebellion to his abusive step father, Gabe Ugliano. The first mention of food is within the first chapter, where Sally "Brought me a huge bag of "free samples," the way she did when I came home." This can be inferred as a  regular theme between Percy and his mother almost as if it were a ritual with "the way she did when I came home", acting almost as a statement that Percy would get them after Sally finishes her shift at her sweet shop. The phrase "the way she did when I came home" sounds ritualistic and, this routine highlights the motherly connection between Percy and Sally. Moreover sweets are a god-send for all children, being the sugary, tangy and sweet treats we all crave as a child it makes Sally appear to be more caring and well... awesome.

Continuing on, the other comment that is mentioned when she walks into the room smelling of "the best things in the world: chocolate, licorice, and all the other stuff she sold at the candy shop I Grand Central." The smell of these foods becomes a reminder of motherly love... chocolate and licorices usually reminds us of our childhood and these smells usually relax us. Think of a cold winter day, the smell of a hot chocolate just lifts the mood up and this is the same feeling that Percy gets when he sees his mum. The smell of food becomes an association with comfort and warmth which underlines the connection between food and comfort in their relationship. 

Gabe Ugliano is Percy's step-father, his real father being a god can't stay with him. Besides being abusive, dirty, an alcoholic and generally unfriendly with excessive gambling tendencies... he 'protects' Percy in his own 'special' way. Percy's mother stays with Gabe's because his 'smell' and lack of hygiene masks the scent of  a demigod, protecting Percy from monsters well... up until now. Well I guess I should explain the blue food in this series... "See, Gabe had once told my mom there was no such thing. They had this fight, which seemed like a really small thing at the time. But ever since, my mom went out of her way to eat blue." The relationship between food acts as a symbol of affection between Percy and his mother but also, it acts as a minor act of rebellion towards Gabe's abusive nature. By eating blue food it is Percy and sally Jackson's own personal sign of rejection towards the father moreover, it is a symbolic of their love for each other and shows how strong their bond is as mother and son. This symbolism is accentuated when Percy loses his mother on the way to
Camp Half-blood, a safe-haven for demigods.

When Percy is recovering in Camp Half-blood he is given a drink, nectar. Nectar within the realm of Percy Jackson tastes unique to each individual and when asked by Grover Percy's response was that it ""Chocolate-chip cookies" I said, "My mom's. Homemade." This emphasises the importance of food for Percy as it acts as a symbol of a mother's love.  Moreover he's provided a refilling cup during a banquet, much like Harry Potter right? He fill it with "Cherry Coke" but then "I had an idea. "Blue Cherry Coke."" Even when Percy's mother is gone he makes a silent toast towards his mother in their traditional theme of blue food, which although emphasises Percy confusion he finds stability in thinking of his mother. 

This consistent relationship between food and their relationship acts as Percy's anchor in the chaotic world of life and death as a demigod in Riordan's world of modern Greek mythology. 

So... what food reminds you the best of your mom?