The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

Choose four of the following eight questions and write an extended response on each. Make sure you use evidence and correctly cited quotations to support your point of view.

1.

Pathos and logos (emotion and logic) are in apparent and constant conflict throughout The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, on many different levels. In Christophers mind, for example, he identifies simple, stark emotions such as fear, sadness, happiness and anger, but he tends to observe these emotions as logical realities within his mood rather than actually feeling them. Can you find other examples of pathos in conflict with logos in other parts of the book?

2.

There seems to be a tendency among the adults with whom Christopher comes in contact to judge him solely on the basis of his aberrant behaviour. They often overlook the fact that he is incredibly bright, looking down on him rather than meeting his own level. Can you find examples of condescension and exploitation?

3.

Euphemasia is a recently invented word, emerging from the modern fad of inventing euphemisms for every unpleasant or misunderstood aspect of life. The word euphemasia means the willful destruction of the English language through euphemisms. The high point of pathetic humor in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time may be the scene in which normal students taunt Christopher and his classmates with the chant, special needs, special needs, special needs, a euphemis m for the students varying conditions, mental and physical. It is true the bullies are no longer taunting with chants of spaz, crip and mong, but has changing the sound of the taunt actually changed anything?

4.

What other examples of euphemasia or euphemism can you find in Haddons book? How does this relate to real life? Can you find real examples in your own world where more socially acceptable words may soften the label but have little to do with actual usage and meaning?

5.

After reading Curious Incident, there can be little doubt that Mark Haddon has a sense of humour. Perhaps the most poignant bit of wit is in the structure of the novel itself. Here is a novel about a novelist who is incapable telling a lie, while a novel, by its nature, is fiction, a big bundle of lies. How does Haddon carry this off? Christopher, Haddons novelist character, has a rich and fertile imagination, and he doesnt hesitate for a moment to take his readers on fantastic adventures in which Christopher becomes an astronaut or clouds become alien spaceships. Still, Christopher is not telling lies in this. He is simply reporting objectively on the images and thoughts that are, in fact, occurring in his mind. What could be more truthful? Discuss the relationship of truth and untruth in this unique novel.

6.

Christopher is a champion manipulator, although he is apparently unaware of it, and his victims havent a clue. What are some specific examples of how Christopher manipulates normal adults into doing his wishes?

7.

The entire novel is written from Christopher's point of view. Think about how this story would be different if it included Siobhan's, Ed Boone's, or even Mrs. Alexander's point of view. Write an extended response answering one or more of the following questions: How would having the point of view of other characters in the novel alter the story's credibility? How would having their point of view change a reader's perception of Christopher? How would a different narrative style modify the mystery elements?

8.

Do you think that the term "love" applies to the relationship between Christopher and his parents? Between Christopher's mother and Mr. Shears? Is Christopher capable of love as you define it?