Study Guide

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party Part 3, Chapter 6

By M.T. Anderson

Part 3, Chapter 6

Another letter from Private Goring to his sister, only now they've reached Dulwich—it's May 15, 1775.
Goring gives his sister a general description of Boston, which they saw while marching toward Dulwich.
He writes that he can't quite tell what's going on in Boston since they were across the River Charles when they saw the city, but the word on the street is that Boston's a prison—no one in or out, unless that person has a special pass from General Gage.
Women and children are supposedly being held hostage too, so that the militia won't dare to bomb the city.
Meanwhile, Goring's not enjoying camp life because it's really cramped.
He shares a tent with John, Shem (Shun's boyfriend), and Octavian.
John and Shem are really annoying, especially because they won't stop teasing Octavian about his silence.
Goring offers to switch positions in the tent with Octavian to sleep near the flap, where all the rain and wetness enters.
Why? Because Octavian's sick and Goring feels for him (yep—time to go aw…).
Captain Draper has also tasked Goring to look out for Octavian, which Goring thinks is kind of funny since Goring would be speaking for two people while Octavian would speak for none (since he doesn't really speak at all).
Goring thinks Shun would totally melt (in a good way) if she met poor Octavian.
He notes that Octavian never sleeps, even at night; he just sits and stares at the walls.
As for Octavian's name? He tells Goring that his name is Prince.

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