Roman Fever and Other Stories Lesson Plan

"The Angel at the Grave" references the Greek goddess Persephone. What is Persephone's story? How does it relate to Paulina?

Persephone was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of fertility and abundance. One day while collecting flowers, she was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the dead. He took her to the underworld to be his wife. Demeter relentlessly searched for her daughter before Helios told her where Persephone was. Demeter was so devastated that crops and plants ceased to grow. Eventually Zeus had to get involved because Demeter's depression was wreaking havoc on earth. Zeus commanded Hades to let Persephone go. But Hades knew she could only return to the land...