The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Volume I The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson

Genre: Historical Fiction
Theme: Perseverance, Prejudice, Freedom
Grade Level: Young Adult
Curricular Connections: History (Revolution and Prerevolution), Science (Experimental Practices of the mid 18th century), Health (Small Pox)

Octavian doesn’t realize the oddities that surround his life as he is growing up. It isn’t strange to him that he lives in a house with many males rather than a father, that the experiments going on around him are not normal family practices, or that other dark skinned boys aren’t learning Greek, Latin, Philosophy, or other academics that he is. Octavian knows little of his past. His mother, an African Princess, is captured when she is 13 and pregnant with him. She is bought by Mr. Gitney, the founder of the Novanglian College of Lucidity in Boston, who houses scholars devoted to the knowledge of science, philosophy, art, music and other academia. Octavian is made to wear silks and white wigs, is given the best education, and they especially allow him to pursue his greatest love which is music in which he excels at the violin. Of course, these luxuries are not given him out of love, but they are a science experiment, questioning whether the African culture is able to achieve the wisdom of other European cultures. Octavian’s life of naivety changes when the college’s main benefactor dies. Mr. Gitney invites other possible benefactors into his house as guests in hopes of persuading them to help fund their studies. This is the first time Octavian and his mother are beat and punished as other slaves or servants might be. After this Octavian is given chores and spends less time with his studies. Mr. Sharpe, who now lives in the house to assist Mr. Gitney, but seems to have taken charge, is Octavian’s new teacher. He is very harsh, and Octavian no longer looks forward to his academics.
Revolution is upon Boston and with it comes Small Pox. Although the threat of the disease isn’t yet in Boston, the scholars of the college decide to host a Pox Party where they invite many people from the area to stay at their home for several weeks and give them a Small Pox vaccination in which they will get the disease in only a mild form while building up their immunity to it. During the course of their experiment, 3 people die, one being Octavian’s mother. In desperation he flees. The next section of the story is told from the viewpoint of letters from a patriot soldier back home who ends up befriending Octavian. For the first time, Octavian feels some satisfaction in working equally with white men, although he also realizes that their talk of liberty doesn’t mean the same for him. After several weeks, Mr. Sharpe finds Octavian and shackles him, as well as places an iron mask, with an iron bit that inserts into his mouth, onto his head. Shortly after capture, Octavian escapes with the help of his former teacher, Dr. Trefusis, when he poisons Mr. Gitney and Mr. Sharpe. They flee past the patriots and right into Boston feeling liberated but unsure of their future knowing only that they will never go back.

Classroom Suggestions:

1. Usually slavery is discussed within the context of the Civil War. Have students research the origins of African slaves and their roles during the American Revolution and the 18th Century.

2. Have students research some of the experimental science practices of the 18th century mentioned in the story such as vaccines, animal research, etc.

3. Have students research how people during this time were affected by Small Pox.