Moving Forward

Almost all of the main characters of the novel struggle with the idea that they must move beyond their past in order to have a brighter future. Lore dwells in the grief from her family’s death and feels that she is forever bound to the Agon. Athena and the other gods only find freedom by accepting their death.

It is Miles who first introduces this theme to Lore, saying, “I just think… whatever happened to you, you have to start thinking about the future, otherwise your past is always going to hold you back” (32). This turns out to be true, as Lore’s anger toward Aristos and her shame at stealing the aegis constantly push her back. She is pulled back into the Agon because of her mistakes. She is unable to move on because she does not allow herself to. It is only...