Chapter 33: Conscience Does Make Cowards of Us All
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis covers events from Chapter 33 of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. If you have not finished the book, proceed with caution.
Summary
Cameron Cassmore, working his night shift at Sowell Bay Aquarium, discovers that the giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, has escaped its tank and is heading for a propped-open back door. After a clumsy attempt to coax the creature back with a broomstick, Cameron falls off a step stool, hitting his head. Tova Sullivan, the aquarium’s regular cleaner who is on leave due to an ankle injury, arrives unexpectedly. She calmly climbs onto a table, speaks to Marcellus by name, and guides him back into his tank. Tova introduces herself to Cameron and explains that she often visits Marcellus at night. She confesses that Marcellus is a frequent escape artist, a fact she has kept from manager Terry for fear that he would seal the tank or even euthanize the octopus as a liability. Tova asks Cameron to keep her secret. After initial hesitation—worried about losing his job and his chance to find Simon Brinks—Cameron agrees, impressed by Tova’s bond with the animal. The conversation ends with Cameron quoting Hamlet; Tova, startled, reveals that line was one of her late son’s favorites.
Key Events
- Cameron finds Marcellus out of its tank and trying to escape through an open back door.
- In his attempt to coax the octopus back, Cameron falls and cuts his head on a step stool.
- Tova Sullivan appears and successfully returns Marcellus to his tank using her voice and hands.
- Tova introduces herself as the injured cleaner and explains her connection to Marcellus.
- She reveals that Marcellus regularly escapes his tank at night and that Terry would take drastic measures if he knew.
- Tova asks Cameron to keep this secret; after weighing the risks, he agrees.
- Cameron quotes “Conscience does make cowards of us all” from Hamlet; Tova says it was her son’s favorite line.
Character Development
- Cameron Cassmore: Shows a nascent sense of responsibility by trying to save Marcellus despite his fear. His willingness to keep Tova’s secret marks a shift from self-preservation (fear of being fired) to empathy for Tova and Marcellus. The Hamlet quote also hints at his intellectual curiosity, a trait often buried under his rough exterior.
- Tova Sullivan: Reveals a deep, almost maternal bond with Marcellus. Her bravery in handling the octopus and her insistence on secrecy underscore her protective nature. The mention of her son’s favorite quote adds a layer of grief—she still clings to connections with lost loved ones through literature.
- Marcellus: Though silent, his behavior—seeking escape, then responding only to Tova—reinforces his intelligence and selective trust. He is not merely an animal but a character with agency.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Conscience and Cowardice: The chapter’s title and Cameron’s quote point to the tension between doing the right thing and the fear of consequences. Cameron’s decision to keep the secret is both an act of conscience (protecting Tova and Marcellus) and a potential cowardice (avoiding confrontation with Terry).
- Secrecy and Trust: Tova’s secret life with Marcellus creates a hidden bond. Cameron’s inclusion in that secret is a test of trust that will likely impact future plotlines.
- Liability vs. Compassion: Terry’s hypothetical reaction (sealing the tank or euthanizing Marcellus) represents institutional logic, while Tova’s secret represents personal loyalty. The chapter asks whether compassion can survive within systems designed to minimize risk.
- Hamlet and Grief: The Hamlet quotation links Tova’s son to Marcellus. Both are beings she has loved and lost (or fears losing). The line “conscience does make cowards of us all” resonates with her inability to confront the truth about Marcellus’s escapes, as well as Cameron’s fear of his own past.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the novel’s central mystery of Tova’s past and her relationship with Marcellus. It also marks a turning point for Cameron: his first genuine, unselfish act (helping Tova) lays the groundwork for his emotional growth. The discovery of the shared connection to Hamlet hints at a larger pattern of loss and redemption that will unfold. Additionally, the secret agreement between Tova and Cameron creates dramatic irony and future tension, especially if Terry or other characters learn the truth.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Cameron decide to keep Tova’s secret even though he fears being fired?
Cameron is moved by Tova’s obvious affection for Marcellus and the prospect of the octopus being euthanized. He recognizes the friendship between Tova and Marcellus as something rare and worth protecting. His own history of being fired multiple times makes him value stable employment, but in this moment empathy outweighs self-interest.
2. What does the Hamlet quote suggest about Tova’s state of mind regarding her son?
The quote, “Conscience does make cowards of us all,” was her son’s favorite. Tova’s reaction—vulnerability and surprise—indicates that the line still evokes deep grief. It implies that her conscience about her son’s death (perhaps feelings of guilt or unfinished business) has made her hesitant to fully live or let go. It also parallels her secrecy about Marcellus: she fears the consequences of honesty.
3. How does Marcellus’s escape attempt reflect his character development in the novel?
Marcellus’s repeated escapes demonstrate his intelligence, curiosity, and discontent with captivity. His willingness to venture to the back door suggests a desire for freedom, yet his return to Tova shows trust. His behavior sets up the later revelation that he may be deliberately seeking something—possibly connected to Cameron’s search for his father.