The curious incident of the dog in the night-time is a very unique novel with many themes. Some of the larger ones of the book are Stability, Perspective and Mystery/Discovery.
Mystery/Discovery: The curious incident of the dog in the night-time is a mystery novel. Christopher one night finds Wellington-one of his neighbor’s dog-dead. The dog was found speared by a garden fork, obviously murdered. Christopher then decides that he is going to do some detective work to figure out who killed Wellington. Through the beginning of the book the reader follows Christopher and his investigation, trying to figure out who killed Wellington. But then, the novel shifts more from mystery to discovery. During his investigation, Christopher discovers things which he never expected, and which isn’t solely about Wellington either. Christopher finds out that his father was to blame for the death of the dog and also, that his mother is not dead. Christopher learns that the reason his mother left is because she was having an affair and that his father knew the whole time but was lying to him by saying she was dead. Throughout the book, Christopher finds out that there is more to his family then what it seems.
Stability: Christopher is a very finicky character. For Christopher to live happily and comfortably he needs order and stability. That level of stability shatters when Christopher finds Wellington dead. Christopher is deeply troubled by the death of the dog and he becomes engrossed in the story of Wellington and solving the case. He even goes outside of his comfort zone by talking to his neighbors in an attempt to learn more about the night Wellington was killed. This constant search for order and stability follow Christopher throughout the book; especially when he discovers that his father has been lying to him for years. Christopher has a lot of trouble dealing with betrayal and the fact that things seem to be falling apart that he runs away to find his mother. In the end, Christopher starts living with his mother and does well on his A-level exams. He also begins to mend the relationship he has with his father. Christopher starts to regain some the stability and order in his life.
Perspective: This book is written by Christopher’s perspective, in first person. Christopher has a different way of looking at things and way of thinking. He is a very logical person; his reasoning and way of approaching things are always from a logical sense. He sees things from a more scientifically or mathematical point of view. This differs greatly from the average person. People’s emotions tend to influence their way of thinking, and they tend to see things from a more personal level. With Christopher narrating the novel, the reader has a chance to see the world from a new perspective.
Questions
1. Who did you think killed Wellington before the killer was revealed?Why?
2. Was the ending of the novel what you expected it to be? Explain
3. How does your view on the world differ from Christopher's?
4. Do you think Christopher and his father's relationship will ever be the same as it was before?
5. What was your favourite part of the book? Why?
6. If you were in Christopher's situation, would you have run away to London too?
7. What do you think is the biggest theme of the novel? why?
8. What do you think happens to Christopher and his family after the novel?
9. How do you think the feel of the novel would differ if Christopher was more representative of an average boy?
10. How do the themes of the novel relate to one another?
By: Sarah B
10. How do the themes of the novel relate to one another?
By: Sarah B
Theme Question Answering
ReplyDelete1. I think thought that Mr. Shears had killed Wellington before the killer was revealed. This is because Christopher had had his own suspicions on Mr. Shears, so that is what I believed. While Christopher was doing his detective investigation he thought that someone who knew Mrs. Shears well had killed Wellington. His second belief was that someone who didn't like Mrs. Shears or who held a grudge had killed Wellington to get back at Mrs. Shears. He found out that Mr. Shears and Mrs. Shears had broken up and didn't like each other any more, so Mr. Shears was Christopher's prime suspect. This easily made me have trust in Christopher's investigation.
8. After the novel, I think that Christopher and his family become more close and entrusting towards each other. I don't think that Christopher's mother and father will get back together, but they will remain friends while raising Christopher. Christopher will start to relate better with his father, but he will still live with his mother. I think that their family relationship will heal after the problems that took place in the past.
Jameel Walji
1. As I read the book I suspected a few different people might have killed Wellington. At first I thought it was Mrs Shears who had killed Wellington and there was a hidden plot further in the book. Then I thought it might have been Christopher and he had forgotten due to an illness he had or something of that nature. Finally before I learned it was his father I thought it was the old lady who lived across the street from him. I was shocked to learn his father had been the killer.
ReplyDelete3. My view on the world is very different from Christopher's. Christopher views the world with a logical mind arranging everything he sees into some sort of system involving numbers and algorithms. Like on the bus when he sees the different coloured cars deciding whether or not he's going to have a god day. While I think of things with feeling and less math and numbers.
6. If I was Christopher I would have definitely run away to London. Here I am this whole time thinking my mother's dead and then I find out my father had just been keeping her and all the letters she sent a secret from me I would have been so upset I wouldn't be able to be in the presence of my father. If not London I certainly would have left home.
7. I think the biggest theme of the novel is discovery. I think this because Christopher is like a child seeing the world for the first time. Perspective also plays a pretty big role in the great themes of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, because Christopher has such a different view on the world then anyone else.
9. I don't believe the novel would be at all the same if Christopher was an average more relatable boy. Part of the book that makes it so good is you don't fully understand Christopher and it actually feels like you get to know him as you read. If he was more like any other boy it would have made for a less entertaining read.
-Storm