“If you could fly above it, see it as the birds see it, this channel (which is not a river because it flows the wrong way, but you may see this as part of its magic), coils like a viper.”

The Medusa-Narrator describes the Gorgon sisters’ caves, a home hidden from mortals. She also describes the nearby channel as snake-like, which foreshadows her later transformation from Athene’s curse—which includes snake hair.

“Only a sudden, enveloping darkness as Zeus grabbed her in his huge hand. And then a strange sensation of being inside the black cloud that follows the thunderbolt.”

The Medusa-Narrator depicts Zeus’s destruction of Metis, noting his overwhelming power. The quote uses alliteration (“his huge hand” and “strange sensation”) to highlight Metis’ shapeshifting and, with it, the horrifying impossibility of escaping the ruler of the gods.

“Her large brown eyes gave the misleading impression of a sweet-natured creature. A deer, say, or a cow. But she was as sharp-eyed as any predator.”

The Medusa-Narrator describes Zeus and Hera as equally matched in spite. She compares Hera in particular to both prey and predatory animals, contrasting her innocent appearance with her temper. This plays into the novel’s portrayal of several women as both victims and perpetuators of violence.