Annabeth Chase (to Percy): Do you wanna know how I ended up alone on the road in the first place? I started out as a gift to my father. That’s how it works with Athena. We’re born from a thought in her mind, and then given to a partner she feels connected to.
Where does this quote come from? (Source)
This quote comes from a TV series ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. The scene where this moment comes from is in Season 1 Episode 4, with the title of ‘I Plunge to My Death’ (1×04). Percy Jackson is based on a book series of the same name written by Rick Riordan. The series Percy Jackson and the Olympians is produced by Disney Branded Television and 20th Television (Disney+)
- TV Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)
- Season: 1
- Episode: 4
- Episode Name: I Plunge to My Death
- Production: Disney Branded Television, 20th Television (Disney+)
Why we collected this quote
We included this because it’s a heartbreaking revelation about Annabeth’s past. It explains why she tries so hard to be perfect.
What does this quote mean? (Meaning & Context)
Annabeth explains her origin story – born from Athena’s mind as a “gift.” It highlights the tragic nature of her existence: she wasn’t born out of love, but as an object to be given away. It sets up the deep insecurity she feels about her worth.
Book vs TV Series
Annabeth’s miraculous birth is described in the book, and she notes her mortal father found her “inconvenient.” By using the word “gift,” the show heavily reframes Annabeth’s existence. This choice emphasizes the objectification and lack of true maternal love in her origin story. It underscores her deep-seated fear of being unwanted, making her character immediately more complex and guarded.
