Octavian Nothing (Ani, Asher, Megan, Ned, Gabe)

Discussion Questions (Ani):

1)  Discussion Question #1

Why did M.T. Anderson choose to put in so many letters with reports of Octavian? What was the significance in the story?

• Ani: The letters signified Octavian’s moving around and never staying in one place, both physically and mentally. Octavian’s state of mind was very temporary and never concrete.
• Ned: It was interesting to see Octavian’s adventures through the eyes of others. It is often good for a writer to write at least a little in a second voice.
• Megan: I think it was just because the most important thing going on was the search for Octavian. This was a creative way to show the people searching and Octavian in the same lens.
• Gabe: Because everyone wanted to find him and i was a creative way to show the they were looking for him.
• Asher:Because He was interested in Octavian. He knew that Octavian was hiding something and he was trying to figure it out. Maybe he thought that writing it down would give him some sort of clue.

2) Discussion Question #2

Why did Octavian agree to travel with the soldiers? Was he in need and had to, or did he really want to?

• Ani: Octavian wanted to survive. He made the choice of traveling with the soldiers because it was the best chance he had of surviving. In his mind, it would be harder to catch him while he was in with the soldiers than while he was at the inn.
• Ned: A combination of both. Traveling with the soldiers was the best way to survive, but Octavian also believes in the cause of liberty.
• Megan: I think that first Octavian simply had to to survive but then discovered that through physical labor he could direct his sadness into motivation.
• Gabe: I think the he wanted to survive. It was his best chance.    
• Asher:He was trying to be something again. He wanted to serve a purpose and this was the best way he knew how.

3) Discussion Question #3

On page 288, Private Evidence Goring proclaims that “Prince seemed to Desire Nothing.” Does this have anything to do with the title of the book, Octavian Nothing? Why?

• Ani: This may be part of the meaning behind the title, but it was not the entire meaning. Octavian was still struggling with many things in his life that had more of an affect on the fact that he did not desire anything.
• Ned: This does not directly tie to the title, but “nothing” is just sort of a motif throughout the story.
• Megan: I think no because it is common to become depressed and refuse food when you are suffering the loss of a loved one.
• Gabe:  I agree with Asher, because when you find out that a loved one is dead you don’t want to do anything for a little bit.
• Asher:Yes and No. I think it has multiple meaning. Like when he said that he was nothing when he found out they were dissecting his mother. He only desires nothing because he knows he will lose it again.

4) Discussion Question #4

On page 305, there is a letter describing Octavian’s capture and the means used to restrain him. “We have nonetheless restrained him with (a) shackles on his hands, (b) shackles on his feet, and also with (c) and iron mask with a bit that prevents him from biting or speaking.” Does this describe the mask on the cover? If so, what is its significance in the story?

• Ani: The mask is the same and has been referred to before. The mask signifies Octavian’s “freedom”. The point of the mask is to keep the slave from speaking or biting. Octavian has a relative amount of freedom in the household at the beginning of the book, but his voice, opinions, and wants are never heard.
• Ned: Yes. The mask had been mentioned before, as “a helmet of metal.” It represents how Octavian seems like he is unable to voice his opinion about anything throughout the story.
• Megan: I think that the mask is the same and it occurs multiple times in the book. It is a symbol that represents the lack of humane treatment and power than Octavian, and all slaves, have.
• Gabe: Yes, it was a symbol that shows that he is a slave.  
• Asher: Yes, because it describes the mask in the story. The mask signifies dealing with resistance. When Octavian talked and argued with Mr. Sharpe he put a mask over Octavian’s head. Silencing him. This signifies that he won’t let him resist against slavery. He won’t let him experience freedom.

Vocab(Megan):

1. Requisition

As it Appears in the Novel: (269) Capt. Draper desired we Requisition the horses for the cause- most, to...

Definition: To demand the use or supply of, especially by official order and for military or public use.

Part of Speech: verb

New Sentence: The president announced that we could requisition our water again since the drought had passed.

2. Fructify

As it Appears in the Novel: (273) Mr. Symes, dreaming on the possibility of Mrs. S. fructifying, inquired of Mr. Wheeler...

Definition: To make (something) fruitful or productive.

Part of Speech: verb

New Sentence: The new intern, with her positive attitude, fructified the office.

3. Impertinence

As it Appears in the Novel: (273) … Mr wheeler -never the most loose tongued, & dumbfounded by the Impertinence of the question- replied not...

Definition: Lack of respect; rudeness.

Part of Speech: noun

New Sentence: The King ordered the baker, who was full of impertinence, beat for his small, resentful remarks towards his Majesty.

4. Revetment

As it Appears in the Novel: (278) So struggling, we reached our pitiful Revetment.

Definition: A retaining wall; a barricade of earth or sandbags.

Part of Speech: noun

New Sentence: We had faith in our ability to surpass the enemy revetment, for it was weak and little.

5. Jubilation

As it Appears in the Novel: (278) … Sounds of jubilation & a detachment of Militiamen...

Definition: A feeling of great happiness and triumph.

Part of Speech: noun

New Sentence:  The runner broke through the ribbon with jubilation.


Rhetoric (Ned):

1. Device #1

On page 243, A man named Elijah Tolley writes to Mr. Gitney, telling of his encounter with Octavian. He uses the following SIMILE: “I looked at him, standing against the gun,and it was like he was dead already…”

2. Device #2

On page 254, When Private Goring questions Octavian, Goring asks if Octavian had recently lived in a house with a family. Octavian responds with the following METAPHOR: “I have never even dwellt inside myself.” Octavian is saying that he does not even know his own identity very well, and hasn’t had much time to figure it out.

3. Device #3

On page 286, Private Goring writes, in his letter to his sister, the following example of PERSONIFICATION: “Boston sits upon the Water, & it is Unknown; & we await for it to vomit forth its Hordes…” This is personification because a city cannot sit or vomit, although a human can.

Context (Asher):

By 1775, tensions between the American colonies and the British government approached the breaking point, especially in Massachusetts, where Patriot leaders formed a shadow revolutionary government and trained revolutionary war.

In June 1775 congress had George militias to prepare for armed conflict with the British troops occupying Boston.  

This was the Washington besiege the city of boston which was the “redcoats’” base. The siege started the Revolutionary war.

The siege began on April 19th and ended on March 17

Before that fights had broken out at Bunker hill, Lexington and others.

        Sites

History.com

Mountvernon.org

en.wikipedia.org

Art (Gabe):

pg. 250,  “..., thou most Perfect of Sister & thou most Sweet of Siblings & may Blessings settle like a Mess of Doves all over thy hair.” - yr Ev.

With this picture that I drew, I took it literally. So I drew doves in thy hair. I think what they are trying to say is that, hopefully a lot of blessings will come to you.