Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon is a story told from the first person perspective of Christopher John Francis Boone, a fifteen year old boy with Asperger's, who currently lives in Swindon with his father. His disorder makes it very difficult for him to relate to and understand human emotions, although he is very good with animals. This also means he is very good at logical things such as maths and sciences. He also knows all of the countries in the world, and their capitols, as well as many prime numbers. Among his peculairities is his irrational fear of being touched. Routine, order, and predictability help him get through his day to day life as well as shelter him from the outside world, until one afternoon when he finds his neighbor's dog, Wellington, impaled by a garden fork. This discovery inspires him to be like Sherlock Holmes, his idol, and solve the mystery of Wellington's true murderer, and throughout his journey, his investigation leads him down many unexpected paths.

Discussion Questions:

1. Christopher's father confesses to killing Wellington in a moment of rage at Mrs. Shears and swears to Christopher that he will not lie to him ever again. Christopher thinks, "I have to get of this house. Father has murdered Wellington. That means he could murder me, because I cannot trust him, even though he said, 'Trust me,' because he told a lie about a big thing," (122). Why is Christopher's world shattered by this realization? Is it likely that he will ever learn to trust his father again?

2. In this novel, some scenes seem comical. Why are they funny? And, are these same situations also sad or frustrating?

6 comments:

Ashlyn W. 7-8 said...

1) Since Christopher doesn't understand human emotions well, he might not realize that just because his dad killed the dog, doesn't mean his dad is going to kill him too. It sounds like Christopher has a hard time grasping things like this. I think that he will learn to trust his father again sometime.

Nicole H. 7-8 said...

His world is shattered, as anyone's would, by finding out that someone very close to him murdered a person. Furthermore, Christopher put all of his trust into his father and probably idolized him as any son would idolize their father. When he realized he had been played and the person he trusts lied, it is hard for him to accept the honesty of other people too.

Sara D. 7-8 said...

1) I agree wih Nicole. It would be confusing for me to hear that my own father killed an animal, not to mention that Christopher had Asperger's so it would be harder for him to accept.

Avi D. 7/8 said...

2. some scenes seem comical because the are things that a normal person should understand however with Christopher's condition he cannot comprehend them. Unfortunately this is the same reason that other scenes are sad.

Laura P 7-8 said...

1.)Christopher's world was most likely shattered because he never thought that someone he was so close with and trusted would kill something and lie about it, therefore making it difficult for him to trust his father again.

Freddy B. 7-8 said...

1. I agree with Laura. Christopher had complete faith that his father was a great man and seeing something like that ruined his father in his eyes. He may never end up trusting his father again.