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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. ABOUT THIS BOOK Anaxandra is the main character of Goddess of Yesterday, an epic tale set in ancient Greece around 1250 b.c. She enjoys a happy childhood as the chieftain’s daughter on a small island in the Aegean Sea. But at age six, King Nicander takes her away to his island Siphnos to be a companion to his disabled daughter, Princess Callisto. By the time Anaxandra adjusts to this new life, Siphnos is attacked by pirates and Anaxandra alone survives. A fleet of ships belonging to Menelaus, king of Sparta, arrives at the pillaged island, and Anaxandra assumes the identity of Princess Callisto in order to be rescued. Menelaus takes her to Sparta, but his wife, the beautiful but icy half-goddess Helen, doubts that this red-headed child is truly Princess Callisto. Anaxandra barely manages to maintain the facade. The Trojan princes Paris and Aeneas arrive at Sparta. Feigning friendship, the Trojans win Menelaus’ trust, only to betray him when Paris and Helen’s passionate love affair thrusts Sparta and Troy into war. Again, Anaxandra must reinvent her identity in order to survive. Can she save herself from the malice of Helen and the wrath of the gods? “Characters from The Iliad, The Odyssey, and much of Greek tragedy make appearances in Anaxandra’s tale, one that is as vivid as her red-gold hair. Teen readers will be mesmerized.”–Starred, Kirkus Reviews FOR DISCUSSION 1. “Anaxandra was just the right name for me,” Anaxandra declares. (p. 1) She often examines the names of people and places and their meanings. Think about the importance of names in this novel. How does Pleis’ broken pronunciation “Calli Sto” symbolize Anaxandra’s story? Why is it important that Anaxandra’s birth island had no name? 2. Consider the merchant’s glass jar in Gythion. “I could see through it,” Anaxandra thinks in amazement. “The merchant dropped a shiny red bead into the jar and I could still see the bead. . . . It contained, but did not hide.” (p. 56) How does this observation parallel Anaxandra’s life? The merchant says that glass “[breaks] more easily than hearts.” (p. 57) What is symbolic about the moment the glass breaks? (p. 80) 3. Anaxandra says “I will die as Anaxandra” when she fears Helen’s wrath on the journey to Troy. (p. 132) Similarly, when she befriends the princess Andromache, she becomes “dizzy with the desire to tell her the truth.” (p. 177) Why, at these particular moments, does Anaxandra’s true identity become so important to her? 4. While telling Euneus stories of her past, Anaxandra blends truths in order to tell him about the loss of the puppy she had on her birth island: “In this version, I had lost Seaweed at Siphnos.” (p. 196) How does this help Anaxandra preserve pieces of truth? 5. Anaxandra is not the only character whose identity is vulnerable. Discuss the enslaved former queen Aethra, especially in the context of this moment: “The squire bowed, as if Aethra was still a queen. And she was.” (p. 158) Also, discuss the implications of Helen’s rejection of old loyalties to Menelaus and Sparta when she fiercely proclaims herself “Helen of Troy.” (p. 125) How do Helen’s and Aethra’s changes attest to the resilience of human identity? 6. Helen commands attention; her power is irrefutable. Just by smiling, she causes everyone to yearn “to do or say something to make that smile return.” (p. 100) Think about the many other instances that prove her vast power, which seems to derive from her beauty, disposition, and half-god birthright. Compare this power to examples of male power in this novel. 7. Consider the significance of gender in the relationships and societies in this novel. Examine these quotes in your discussion: 8. Cassandra, a prisoner in her own land, can see past, present, and future. “And yet it was Cassandra the people feared.” (p. 209) Discuss why her omniscience and outspoken truths incite perhaps more fear than Helen’s treachery. 9. Throughout the novel, Troy is described as a mystifying and invincible city. Consider Anaxandra’s thought that Troy “did not cringe inside walls. Troy was the wall.” (p. 166) In what ways is Anaxandra like Troy? SUGGESTED READING Other Mythology Titles for Young Adults: Quiver Stephanie Spinner Grades 7 up Alfred A. Knopf hardcover 0-375-81489-2 The Great God Pan Donna Jo Napoli Grades 5 up Wendy Lamb Books hardcover 0-385-32777-3 Other Books by Caroline B. Cooney: The Ransom of Mercy Carter 0-385-32615-7 Tune in Anytime 0-440-22798-4 The Janie Books: The Face on the Milk Carton 0-440-22065-3 Whatever Happened to Janie? 0-440-21924-8 The Voice on the Radio 0-440-21977-9 What Janie Found 0-440-22772-0 The Time Travel Quartet: Both Sides of Time 0-440-21932-9 Out of Time 0-440-21933-7 Prisoner of Time 0-440-22019-X For All Time 0-385-32773-0 ABOUT THE AUTHOR CAROLINE B. COONEY is the author of many young adult novels, including The Ransom of Mercy Carter, the Time Travel quartet (Both Sides of Time, Out of Time, Prisoner of Time, and For All Time), and the Janie quartet (The Face on the Milk Carton, Whatever Happened to Janie?, The Voice on the Radio, and What Janie Found). Her books have received much recognition, including distinction as ALA Best Books for Young Adults. She lives in Westbrook, Connecticut. |
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