Part One, Pages 37-74 Summary

Several days after the race on all fours in the countryside with the scholars, Octavian is with Bono. He asks the servant why he wishes to change his name, and Bono explains that his name was a joke. Since his mother was pregnant with Bono when she was purchased, Bono was given the name Pro Bono, since he was free. He also tries to convince Octavian that he is in a similar situation, and that he and his mother are slaves just as Bono is. Octavian rejects this claim at first, but slowly begins to realize that Bono is right. As he begins to consider the implications that he is a slave, he notices he is surrounded by servants everywhere, and becomes increasingly conscious of his status as property, even thought he continues to be well taken...