Study Guide

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party Part 1, Chapter 4

By M.T. Anderson

Part 1, Chapter 4

If you like dogs, prepare yourself—this isn't going to be fun.
Octavian remembers being five or six years old and taking some food Mr. 03-01 prepared for his dog.
He was all happy about spending some quality time with his pup, a stray named Cloud, but when he got to the shed, Cloud didn't move.
Why?
Yep—dead. Poisoned, in fact.
Octavian can't remember feeling anything when he found Cloud dead, but he does remember crying all the way back to Mr. 03-01.
It wasn't until years later that Octavian figures out (from one of Mr. 03-01's articles) that Cloud died from a mixture of mercury and food that Mr. 03-01 was giving him.
You see, Mr. 03-01 wanted to know if a mercury compound would kill mammals (we're guessing Mr. 03-01 wouldn't be against animal testing if alive today).
Anyway, Octavian also recalls that—at that time—Mr. 03-01 asked him why he felt sorrow.
Octavian couldn't really answer, but Mr. 03-01 pressed on, asking him if he felt Cloud passed on to a better place.
Octavian nodded and described doggy heaven — all while Mr. 03-01 listened and took notes on Octavian for a future article.

Ask questions, get answers, and discuss with others.

Join today and never see them again.

Get started