Annie Zhao, PD 6, 2/5/24

Annie Zhao, PD 6, 2/5/24
Modern Mythology
Topic: Literature Circle

Almost 4 years ago, while drowning in the boredom of quarantine, I bought The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller when it was trending on “Booktok” (TikTok’s book-reading community). It was super popular at the time, and still is for the most part but I was mostly swayed by the promise of a sad ending and some heart-wrenching dialogue. It arrived swiftly with my Amazon Prime next-day-shipping but it actually took me a few weeks to pick up the book and start reading. Over the course of maybe two months, I had only read a little more than half the book until I gave up and put it down. Partly because I wasn’t as invested as I thought I would be and partly because I was a little afraid of reading what happens to Patroclus and Achilles and crying, or worse, not crying.

In the first few chapters, I struggled with connecting to the characters and world especially since I had very little prior knowledge on these specific characters and myths. I had always known of the media-popularized Greek myths, but I had never read the Iliad or the Odyssey until freshman year, after I had bought the book. My first impression of Patroclus as the weak, cowardly prince was actually just as disappointing as his father thought of him. The beginning chapters where his life story is being told, the race between all the little princes, his father’s insistence on offering Patroclus’ child hand to Helen, the murder that led to him being disowned. I felt it was a little boring with shallow characterization. All I took away from Patroclus’ brief childhood as a prince was that he didn’t have much personality beyond being shy and frail. There wasn’t much internal feeling or thoughts that gave his character any dynamics. When he goes to live in Peleus’ kingdom, not much changes other than his growing relationship with Achilles, who he’s sort of envious of. I read all the way up until the two reach Troy, awaiting battle, but Patroclus doesn’t really change as a character. He’ll get upset every once in a while but truly doesn’t do much for what he wants or change his views of himself or Achilles.

Achilles, in a similar vein, didn’t really capture my interest anymore than Patroclus. When the two first meet, Achilles is some sort of perfect golden boy who acts mysterious every once in a while. His relationship with his mother sort of allows for more character development as the story progresses but he seemed like such a docile, emotionless character for someone who’s originally a rage-filled hero. Especially since the book is written from Patroclus' perspective, I didn’t get the full scope of Achilles' character and any reasoning behind his actions. A lot of times, I was left confused or mad because I didn’t understand why the characters were making stupid decisions or saying things that caused issues in the relationship. Sure, they’re teenage boys, barely adults, but what is the reasoning, the thought processes, behind their actions? Honestly, it took me so long to read half the book because I was bored, confused, and a little thrown off by the pacing.

Recently, I reread the first half of the book and my first impressions were definitely understandable. Frankly, it was even more difficult to get through than the first time, despite the fact that it took me a way shorter period of time. And now, with more knowledge on the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as the critical lenses I’m accustomed to reading through, I feel as if I’m reading any other romance novel. One specific thing that truly irked me is the portrayal of Thetis, Achilles’ sea goddess mother. Her first introduction is barely a page long and just skims over the fact that she was raped and married unwillingly by King Peleus. There’s barely any explanation or development that even connects these few paragraphs with her actions later on and her resistance to her marriage is written due to her disapproval of marrying a mortal, not her capture or rape. After reading Stone Blind and discussing the modern retelling of Medusa’s story as a victim, not a monster, I realized immediately how Thetis’ portrayal is literally the same. Miller calls her cruel and uses her as an obstacle in Patroclus and Achilles’ relationship, painting her as a villain to her own son. While at first, it seems as though she’s just being protective of Achilles, she reaches a point where she sort of becomes obsessive and controlling rather than a loving mother who gave her son near-immortality. Later on in the story, when Thetis is trying to hide Achilles from fighting in Troy, she leads a princess to his room and forces him to take her as his wife with Patroclus as leverage? My thoughts were most likely because of my new views on Miller’s portrayal of Thetis and the glossed-over portrayals of rape in Greek myths but I actually had no idea why Thetis would do such a thing considering her own marriage situation. Like why was there even a mention of her reluctance to marry and hatred of Peleus if this later scene seems to go against her own beliefs? Just to further the plot?

Currently, I am on chapter 19 and waiting for a character or part that isn’t going to make me confused or angry. And it’s not as if I’m hating every part, like I enjoyed the two growing up together for the most part, the slow development of a bond and relationship. Yes, some scenes were cute, but a lot of that enjoyment was kind of offset by the one-dimensional characterization, the very long pacing, and just how boring it feels when nothing is really furthering the plot. I do have hope that it will get better as I finally read the chapters that I’ve never gotten to (and that I cry at the ending), but I just feel like I’m still not as invested as I should be, especially since I’m looking at every part more critically and with more base knowledge than the first time around. The Song of Achilles is one of my hardest reads and maybe not for the right reasons.