Pax is the story’s secondary protagonist: a fox with incredible loyalty to Peter who doesn’t see humans as the enemy. His very existence helps forge a peace between humans and animals. His role is especially significant, as the name Pax means peace.
Pax also undergoes a transformation in the novel that mirrors Peter’s. Initially, Pax is unable to fend for himself in the wild and relies on other foxes to feed and protect him.
When Peter’s father volunteers to go to war, Peter must give up the fox he has raised since it was a kit. Peter wars with himself as he feels guilty for abandoning his friend.
Ortho is a Greek prefix meaning “straight,” “upright,” “right,” or “correct”. Odontos a combining form meaning “tooth,” used in the formation of compound words: odontology.
