“I was shocked to see all the mistakes you’d made … Do you really think you’re fit to run a whole kingdom”
Exploring Child Maltreatment in Lore Olympus
Tags: #LoreOlympus #Demeter #Persephone #ChildAbuse #ChildMaltreatment
Content Warning: This blog contains themes of child abuse. Reader’s discretion is advised. Please consult your local crisis center if you require any support. International helplines can be found at https://ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
One of the best aspects of Lore Olympus is its portrayal of a wide range of relationship dynamics. This includes the example of the parent-child bond between Demeter and Persephone, which is characterized by child maltreatment including manipulation, control, and isolation. Their relationship has an adverse impact on Persephone’s wellbeing and understanding of the world.
The World Health Organization (2022) defines child maltreatment as “all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity”. As such, child abuse can take many forms including neglect which is the omission of care such as inadequate access to education, healthcare, food and so forth, and emotional abuse which includes verbal abuse, isolation, and humiliation(1) (Farrell Erickson and Egeland 2011, Hart et al 2011, Radford et al 2011). Abusive parents may use manipulation tactics to exert control. For example, a parent may use guilt, shame, or fear to control their child, they may make their child doubt their own reality, they may isolate them from peers, family members, or prevent outside influence to ensure the child becomes overly dependent on the parent, or they may restrict their child’s behavior, choices, and activities.
Persistent maltreatment can have detrimental effects on a child’s development and wellbeing (Egeland et al 2002, Norman et al 2012, Radford et al 2011, Strathearn et al 2020). Children may develop anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. It may lead to issues with self-trust and confidence. Children may grow up believing they are worthless and undeserving of love. It may result in children struggling to form healthy relationships due to trust issues and fear.
As Lore Olympus unfolds, it becomes evident that Demeter’s actions – notably manipulation, isolation, and control – mirror child maltreatment leading to profound effects on the ways Persephone navigates relationships and the world around her. By shining a light on the complexities of child abuse, Lore Olympus offers a refreshing narrative that resonates with modern audiences. It provides an empathetic understanding of trauma while also allowing Persephone to exist outside of her abusive relationships.
“I used to think I was so special because my mother cared for my safety so much that she wouldn't let me learn how to fly” (Lore Olympus, ep 231)
From the day Persephone is born, Demeter restricts who Persephone is allowed to interact with, what Persephone is allowed to do, and what choices Persephone can make. Throughout her childhood, Demeter is neatly planning Persephone’s everyday activities to mold her into Demeter’s version of spring. Demeter continuously ensures that Persephone’s days remain busy (Lore Olympus, ep 131). Demeter’s excessive control extends to Persephone’s studies where she is pressured to provide perfect answers to meet her mother’s expectations (Lore Olympus, ep 62). Demeter's subtle coercion tactics are exemplified by Demeter talking Persephone into joining The Goddesses Of Eternal Maidenhood (TGOEM). She frames it as an exciting opportunity for Persephone to dedicate her life to the service of others, “doesn’t that sound like fun?” (Lore Olympus, ep 28). This might be, in part, because Demeter suspects that Persephone is a fertility goddess for years before Persephone herself discovers the possibility. Persephone’s doubts, however, are dismissed as “[Persephone’s] too young to be concerned about this” (Lore Olympus, ep 174). Consequently, out of her own fears, Demeter goes to great lengths to stifle Persephone’s autonomy and personal growth. By restricting Persephone’s behavior and options, Demeter can more easily steer Persephone into choices and situations that Demeter has control over.
“You’re lucky you’ve got me to bail you out” (Lore Olympus, ep 231)
Demeter often uses Persephone’s emotions, particularly fear, shame, and guilt, against her to manipulate Persephone’s actions towards the outcome that Demeter wants. Demeter will also gaslight Persephone, making her doubt her own reality. Notably, Demeter continuously seeks to sabotage Persephone’s relationship with Hades, attempting to convince Persephone that Hades and his actions are disingenuine, and playing her love for him down as a mere one-sided infatuation. In episode 175, Persephone discovers that Demeter has lied about her previous interaction with Hades, convincing her that Hades had forgotten all about meeting Persephone. Instead, in episode 114, it was revealed that Demeter intentionally got Hades so drunk that he would not remember meeting Persephone at all.
After Persephone becomes Queen of the Underworld, Demeter organizes an ‘intervention’ in the mortal realm (Lore Olympus, ep 230) hoping to guilt Persephone into returning to her job as the goddess of spring and convince her that staying with Hades will ruin her life. As part of her manipulation tactics, Demeter guilts Persephone into saving money, demonizing the often extravagant lifestyles of the Olympic deities, especially the god of wealth himself, Hades. Demeter disguises her intentions by claiming that her actions are guided by her unconditional love for Persephone, asserting that maintaining her new status would ruin her life. Demeter alleges that Persephone’s ‘bad’ behavior is impacting not just Demeter but all members of TGOEM and insists that Persephone “owe[s] Hestia an apology … [because Demeter and Hestia] put a lot of work and money into [Persephone’s] coronation for TGOEM” (Lore Olympus, ep 230). Despite being the aggressor, Demeter knows how to uno-reverse and pretend she is the victim. It is, therefore, Persephone’s fault that circumstances have changed and separated Persephone from the safety of Demeter’s watchful eyes.
This manipulation extends from major life decisions into even insignificant choices, such as what Persephone wears. Upon seeing Persephone in chthonic clothing, Demeter immediately suggests they “could go to [her] room and grab something more appropriate from [her] closet” (Lore Olympus, ep 230) to look like her ‘old self’ for the surprise ‘intervention’. After pressuring her to change, Demeter comments on her ability to fulfill her duties as the Queen of the Underworld and says “being Queen of the Underworld would be far too stressed for you, as well as being beyond your abilities” but luckily Persephone has Demeter “to bail [her] out” (Lore Olympus, ep 231). Demeter continues to shame Persephone for her work in Demeter’s 10-year absence, going on to say “I was shocked to see all the mistakes you’d made” (Lore Olympus, ep 230) referencing Persephone’s work in the mortal realm. Demeter down plays Persephone’s progress into independence and insists that because Persephone lacks the skills to replace her mother, Persephone is also unfit to co-rule the Underworld, despite requiring a vastly different skill set and ignoring her efforts to grow into her new position.
“Demeter is pretty strict. It’s almost like she’s got something to hide” (Lore Olympus, ep 176)
Separated from Olympus and the Underworld in the Mortal Realm, Demeter is able to limit Persephone’s knowledge of the rest of the Olympians. Demeter attempts to isolate Persephone from outside influences, an isolation that is dual-layered both in the number of interactions she is allowed to have and the controlled nature of those that do happen. Persephone is thus unable to establish a network of supportive and genuine relationships.
From birth, only a limited number of goddesses were informed of Persephone’s existence. All of these deities lived in Olympus, limiting Persephone’s social circle to the nymphs in Demeter’s care in the Mortal Realm. All the other interactions Persephone has with Olympians were accidents outside of Demeter’s control. The only friend that Persephone is able to make on her own came from an accidental encounter with Hermes (Lore Olympus, ep 176). The relationship is permitted to continue only under threat from Demeter for Hermes’ silence. Even when Persephone is finally allowed to pursue her studies in Olympus, her social circle was intended to be restricted to the members of TGOEM. Demeter even confirms later in the series that she did “everything to hide [her] daughter” (Lore Olympus, ep 145) from the Olympians.
While Persephone was never necessarily alone, the quality of the relationships she was allowed to cultivate was never sufficient as a support system outside of Demeter, until she entered the Underworld. Once Persephone is able to break away from her mother, she is able to build healthy bonds. For example, Eros and Hecate become significant sources of support and guidance for Persephone, advocating for her wellbeing and success. Of course, the relationship with Hades becomes integral and is important enough that we have dedicated an entire article to the formation of their love story (read here).
Nevertheless, Demeter persistently attempts to regain control over Persephone. The most serious escalation of her obsessive behavior plays out, first, during the trial, and continues later in the ‘intervention’. Several times, Demeter attempts to shame Persephone over her relationship with Hades. When Persephone tells Demeter that Hades will represent them during their trial, Demeter humiliates Persephone for her choices: “I spent the last few hours hearing all about your friendship with the King of the Underworld, and I’m apparently the last being in the four realms to know about it” (Lore Olympus, ep 182). Demeter continues to insinuate that Persephone’s choices are not her own; that any decision Persephone does make for herself is selfish and wrong, throwing Persephone’s preference to pursue her education over helping Demeter in the Mortal Realm in Persephone’s face. Their conflict reaches its peak during the ‘intervention’ when Demeter forces Persephone to listen to statements from TGEOM members and the ways her relationship with Hades had affected them, framed as if “these women have come here out of concern for [Persephone]” (Lore Olympus, ep 230). Instead, the nymphs were forced to join the ‘intervention’ and Demeter is the only one fueling the crusade against Hades, as that relationship is the biggest threat to Demeter’s control.
“Going against my mother makes my skin feel tight and my insides twist” (Lore Olympus, ep 231)
Demeter’s persistent maltreatment has profound effects on Persephone. Persephone is battling with loneliness and anxiety. Her relationship with her mother affects her sleep to the extent that she experiences nightmares of being trapped in a greenhouse by Demeter. Persephone also struggles with low self-esteem and trust issues. Demeter’s continued interference and attempts at control affect Persephone and her interactions with others, even to the point that when she “thought [she’d] made a genuine connection [with Hades] … only to end up thinking he found [her] so … completely forgettable” (Lore Olympus, ep 182) after they first met. Persephone even questions her reality and people-pleasing behavior, admitting in a mother-daughter therapy session that “[i]t’s confusing to have someone that [she] hold[s] in the highest regard have such contempt for [her] choices” (Lore Olympus, ep 231).
“who would stop a goddess from flying” (Lore Olympus, ep 231)
While Demeter’s behavior towards Persephone is controlling and possessive, there are those in Olympus and the Underworld that attempt to intervene out of concern for Persephone. Hestia, as a part of the TGOEM 'intervention’, pleads with Demeter to stop, upon realizing what Demeter’s true intentions were. Although Demeter brushes off Hestia’s objections, Hestia does release Moth-Hades from his imprisonment in a glass jar.
Hades is certainly Persephone’s biggest advocate. Hades reassures Persephone that she is “worthy to rule the Underworld” and how that’s “a fact, which is not up for debate” (Lore Olympus, ep 231). It is not until after Persphone marries Hades without inviting Demeter and a long-overdue mother-daughter therapy session, that Demeter begins to take accountability for her past actions.
Lore Olympus, despite its questionable ending (read here), does a lot of heavy lifting in the world of Webtoons with its accurate portrayal of abusive relationships and the ways in which it affects people and how they are able to work through experienced trauma. Having characters that are not defined by their trauma, exactly as how people that have been through trauma are not in real life, is refreshing to see. Media often relies too heavily on using trauma as a plot device to define a character, leaving them one-dimensional. Lore Olympus delivers, even though the ending was lackluster; it is still worth a read for the side quests.
(1) To note, child abuse also takes the form of physical and sexual abuse. For this blog, we have only highlighted the forms relevant to the discussions.
Sources
Egeland, B., Yates, T., Appleyard, K., & van Dulmen, M. (2002). The long-term consequences of maltreatment in the early years: A developmental pathway model to antisocial behavior. Children's Services: Social Policy, Research, & Practice, 5(4), 249–260.
Farrell Erickson, M., & Egeland, B. (2011). Child Neglect. In: J.E.B. Myers (ed.) The APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment. 3rd Edition, London: SAGE, 109-129.
Hart, S.N., Brassard, M.R., Davidson, H.A., Rivelis, E., Diaz, V., & Binggelo, N.J. (2011). Psychological Maltreatment. In: J.E.B. Myers (ed.) The APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment. 3rd Edition, London: Sage, 130-148.
Norman, R.E., Byambaa, M., De, R., Butchart, A., Scott, J., & Vos, T. (2012). The Long-Term Health Consequences of Child Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS Medicine, 9(11), e1001349.
Radford, L, Corral, S., Bradley, C., Fisher, H., Bassett, C., Howat, N., & Collishaw, S. (2011). Child Abuse and Neglect in the UK Today. NSPCC, London https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1042/child-abuse-neglect-uk-today-research-report.pdf.
Strathearn, L., Giannotti, M., Mills, R., Kisely, S., Najman, J. & Abajobir, A., (2020). Long-term cognitive, psychological, and health outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect. Pediatrics, 146(4), https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/146/4/e20200438/79676/Long-term-Cognitive-Psychological-and-Health.
World Health Organization (2022). Child Maltreatment. 19 September,https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-maltreatment.
Image Credit:
Smythe, Rachel [@usedbandaid] (2021). "Up🌟" 3 October, https://www.instagram.com/p/CUjDRs_BxUL/
Smythe, Rachel [@usedbandaid] (2024). "Lore Olympus fastpass preview. Thank you. #loreolympus" 18 January, https://www.instagram.com/p/C2QOsUKSpCH/?img_index=4