Project Gutenberg
2005-11-01
Public domain in the USA.
935
Hawthorne, Nathaniel
1804
1864
The Gorgon's Head
(From: "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys")
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wonder-Book_for_Girls_and_Boys
Produced by David Widger and Al Haines
"The Gorgon's Head" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a children’s story that retells a classic Greek myth, woven together in an engaging narrative for young readers. This piece is part of a larger work titled "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys," and it aligns with the mid-19th century literary movement aimed at adapting ancient myths into accessible stories for children. The central theme of the tale revolves around the hero Perseus and his quest to obtain the head of the Gorgon Medusa, exploring themes of bravery, cunning, and the dichotomy of good versus evil. In the story, Perseus embarks on a treacherous journey, ordered by the wicked King Polydectes to bring back the head of Medusa as a gift for his future bride. With the help of the god Hermes, who appears as the character Quicksilver, and the wise advice of his sister, Perseus acquires magical items such as winged sandals and an invisibility helmet. The climax occurs when Perseus successfully beheads Medusa while avoiding her petrifying gaze, and upon his return, he uses her head to turn King Polydectes and his followers to stone. Ultimately, the story underscores the importance of courage, cleverness, and the power of mythical heroism, all while engaging the curiosity and imagination of its young audience. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 75.1 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
en
Mythology, Greek
Mythology, Greek -- Juvenile literature
BL
PZ
Text
Children's Literature
Category: Children & Young Adult Reading
Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
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