ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The World of Mythology

Stories of a world filled with gods and goddesses and imaginary people and places are called myths. Written to entertain and enlighten, all myths:

• Lack identifiable authors
• Exist in multiple versions
• Are transmitted by oral tradition
• Seek to explain the origins of the world, human society, and culture

The gods and goddesses of mythology rule the lives and control the fate of mortals; the gods expect devotion and punish mortals who don’t pay them the proper respect. To anger a god or goddess is sure to bring death and destruction, but to have a god or goddess show you favor is sure to bring you joy and love. The gods themselves have no code of ethics to follow, and therefore, do whatever they please to whomever they please.


Pre-Reading Activity

In order for students to better understand the gods and goddesses in these books, have them read the “Author’s Note” and “About the Gods” in Quiver by Stephanie Spinner; the “Afterword” in Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney; and the “Genealogy of the Gods in this Tale,” “Cast of Characters,” and “Afterword” in The Great God Pan by Donna Jo Napoli. Then discuss with your students the implications the information might have on the story. Draw a genealogy chart on the board tracing the gods and goddesses your students read about in the selections you have assigned.

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ABOUT THIS BOOK

Pan, both goat and god, is a creature of mystery and delight. Pan is captivated by the young Princess Iphigenia, even though the gods warn him against loving a mortal. When the goddess Artemis demands that Iphigenia’s father sacrifice his first-born daughter, Pan gives up immortality to save Iphigenia.

FOR DISCUSSION

1. Pan watches the scorpions mate, and when he witnesses the female scorpion eating the male, he knows it is a warning from the muses that love can destroy. He thinks, “I could never be destroyed by love.” (p. 17) In view of what happens to Pan, why is this statement ironic?

2. After Pan meets Iphigenia, he goes to Mount Olympus to find Aphrodite and see his father. But instead he finds the muses telling stories to Apollo. They turn their attention to Pan and discuss with him the disadvantages of human love. Apollo says, “Humans are fickle.” (p. 43) What does Apollo mean by this? Based on your experience, do you agree with his statement? Why or why not?

3. Pan says, “Iphigenia hid nothing from me. That’s what I value most in her.” (p. 45) Pan refers to her gift of honesty as “twisted” and her gift of making him see how others see him as “painful but precious.” Why would he use these words to describe her gifts, and if they are gifts, why did he describe them in such negative terms? How can gifts we have in today’s world be an obstacle? Consider beauty, intelligence, and athleticism.

4. When Pan reveals to Iphigenia that he can read animal eyes, she replies, “Humans are not so different.” (p. 65) What did she mean by her remark, and why was Pan so delighted by the comment?

5. Why does Pan lose his respect for Apollo? What does he intend to do about it?

6. Since Pan met Iphigenia, his father Hermes has been avoiding him, according to Silenus. (p. 88) Pan begins to face the reality of this because Hermes doesn’t show up to cheer him on when he challenges Apollo. (p. 96) Then, when Pan sees Hermes again, Hermes explains a provision of the curse Pan never knew about. (p. 106) Why did Hermes wait so long to tell Pan about this provision? Why does he tell him at this point in Pan’s life?

7. When Apollo and Pan meet for the music challenge, everyone there knows Apollo has the upper hand because of his position with the other gods and goddesses. But Pan faces the challenge with courage, and he plays beautifully. When he is announced the winner, Apollo gives the judge, King Midas, donkey ears. King Midas then changes the winner to Apollo. (p. 97) What does the injustice of this challenge do to Pan? How does he finally overcome the devastating effects?

SUGGESTED READING

Other Mythology Titles for Young Adults
Quiver
Stephanie Spinner
Grades 7 up
Alfred A. Knopf hardcover
0-375-81489-2

Goddess of Yesterday
Caroline B. Cooney
Grades 7 up
Delacorte Press hardcover
0-385-72945-6

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Jo Napoli is the author of Crazy Jack, The Magic Circle, Stones in Water, Daughter of Venice, and many other books, and is the chairperson of the linguistics department at Swarthmore College.