Hermes's shoulders sagged. They'll try, Percy. Oh, we'll all try to keep our promise. And maybe for a while things will get better. But we gods have never been good at keeping oaths. You were born because of a broken promise, eh? Eventually we'll become forgetful. We always do.You can change.Hermes laughed. After three thousand years, you think the gods can change their nature?Yeah, I said. I do.
In the provided quote from "The Last Olympian," Hermes expresses a sense of resignation about the gods' ability to maintain their promises. He acknowledges that although they will make an effort to honor their oaths and possibly improve their ways, their history of forgetfulness suggests that they may ultimately fail. Hermes reflects on the nature of the gods, indicating a deep-rooted pattern that seems resistant to change, especially highlighting that Percy’s very existence stems from a broken promise.
Percy, however, counters Hermes' cynicism with a belief in the possibility of change, even for the gods. He challenges the notion that their nature is unchangeable, suggesting that transformation is still a viable option despite the gods' long history. This exchange underscores a central theme of the narrative: the tension between hope and the inherent flaws of character, illustrating a universal struggle between the desire for redemption and the weight of past failures.
