Question

HURRY 100 POINTS IF RIGHT

Atlas’s Great Fate
Trilby Greene


1Long ago, the lands of Ancient Greece were inhabited by a race of giants called the Titans. Their leader, Cronus—whose mother was Earth and whose father was the Sky—sat high and mighty above all as the ruler of the world and king of the heavens. Cronus greatly enjoyed his powerful position. He did everything he could to make sure that no one would ever take his place. His son Zeus, though, longed to become king. Zeus challenged Cronus to a war, and Cronus accepted.

2Zeus defeated his father and became the new ruler of the heavens. His first task was to punish the Titans for opposing him. He sent most of the giant warriors away from the earth. Zeus had a special punishment, however, for the Titan warrior Atlas, who was known for his bravery and strength.

3“You have a heavy burden to bear, Atlas,” said Zeus, “for as I place this pillar on your shoulder, you must support the heavens forever.”

4So Atlas took up his new role, holding the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. As he stood, he wondered how he would ever escape his terrible fate. As luck would have it, one day he received a visit from the young warrior Hercules, who needed his help.

5 “Atlas, I am on an important mission,” Hercules explained. “If I complete ten great tasks for my new master, I will be made into a god. But I am told you are the only one who can help with my next task. I must steal the golden apples from the garden of Hera, Zeus’ wife—the one guarded by the dragon with one hundred heads.”

6As Atlas crouched on the ground under the weight of the heavens, he started to form a plan.

7 “I know just how to get the apples,” he told the warrior, “and I would be glad to help. But first I’ll need for you to take the weight of the heavens while I’m gone.” So the two transferred the heavens onto Hercules’ shoulders and Atlas ran off to collect the apples, amazed at his newfound freedom.

8Atlas collected the golden apples quickly, and when he returned, he laid them at Hercules’ feet. The warrior was overjoyed.

9 “Your joy will be short,” Atlas told him, “for I do not intend to hold the heavens any longer. The burden is now your own.”

10 “Alas, Atlas, you have fooled me,” Hercules admitted sadly. “I’ll accept my fate, but I wonder first if you might help me put some padding on my shoulders where the pillar must rest. You see, I’m not as strong as a giant, and I need some extra help holding all of this weight. Might you hold the heavens for me while I arrange the padding?”

11Atlas agreed and took on the weight once more. Then he watched as Hercules scooped up the apples and scampered away, calling thanks over his shoulder as he disappeared from Atlas’s view.


What is a possible theme of "Atlas's Great Fate"? Explain how details and events in the text led you to determine this theme, citing specific quotations from the story as necessary.

Be sure to use the RACE strategy.

Restate the question

Answer the question

Cite evidence to support what you think the theme is. (This should include one or two pieces of quoted material from the text.)

Explain how the evidence proves your answer.

End with a concluding sentence.

Answer 1

I guess the theme is that you can't give somebody your work because Atlas was trying to give his work to Hercules which is a unresponsive thing to do and he's not taking responsibility for the work they gave him.

Answer 2

The theme of "Atlas's Great Fate" is that cunning and resourcefulness are essential in overcoming challenges, as evidenced by Hercules's cleverness in escaping the burden of holding the heavens, which aligns with Greek mythological narratives where intelligence often trumps strength.

Step-by-step explanation:

A possible theme of "Atlas's Great Fate" could be the cunning and resourcefulness often required to overcome bondage or hardship. When Hercules requess Atlas to hold the heavens again under the guise of needing to adjust his padding, saying, "Might you hold the heavens for me while I arrange the padding?" Hercules exhibits cleverness that enables him to escape a great burden. This event, alongside Atlas's earlier trickery, where he says, "I do not intend to hold the heavens any longer. The burden is now your own.", highlights the theme that intelligence and wit can turn the tables even in situations that seem irrevocable.

The evidence supports the theme by showcasing smart strategy over brute strength, as both characters enact plans to shift their fates, which aligns with the characteristics of famous Greek myths where guile often plays a pivotal role in overcoming challenges. This theme wraps up the moral that shrewdness can prevail against even the mightiest of obstacles.