Memory and the Past Quotes in The Red Pyramid

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"Stay on the carpet!" Zia grabbed Sadie's hand and pulled her back toward the center of the hall. "You are seeing the Age of the Gods. No mortal should dwell on these images." "But…" Sadie blinked. "They're only pictures, aren't they?" "Memories," Zia said, "so powerful they could destroy your mind." (14.10-12)

Memories are serious business, yo. They hold the key to understanding the past, as Sadie realizes when she later returns to the view the images in the Age of the Gods… but they could also kill you.

Quote #2

"When Egypt fell to the Romans, my spirit was crushed. Thousands of years of Egyptian power and tradition toppled by that foolish queen Cleopatra, who thought she could host a goddess. The blood of the pharaohs seemed weak and diluted—lost forever." (28.24)

When Iskandar reminisces about the way Egypt was and how things changed with the Romans, it shows just how ancient and powerful Egypt was. Like, seriously, this place had a kingdom that lasted thousands of years… how many other political entities last that long?

Quote #3

A little help, I told Isis. Carefully, very carefully, I tapped into her strength. Doing so without letting her take over was like riding a surfboard over a tidal wave, trying desperately to stay on my feet. I felt five thousand years of experience, knowledge, and power course though me. (24.83)

One thing the gods offer their hosts is memory, and in this case, memory can be a very powerful thing. It lets Sadie tap into thousands of years of wisdom and select what's right for her situation. It's also dangerous, of course, since human minds aren't meant to handle so much memory. No wonder Sadie compares it to a tidal wave—you could easily get sucked under and not find the surface in time!