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Study Questions
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
By Mark Haddon
- Christopher Boone functions as both a writer and a narrator. He self-consciously discusses and critiques the writing process, literary genre and literary devices as he writes, solves, and narrates the mystery of Wellington’s murder. In what way is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time a novel about writing novels?
- The Sherlock Holmes mystery, "Silver Blaze" was about the theft of an expensive racehorse from its stable. The inspector of Scotland Yard asked Holmes if there was any particular aspect of the crime calling for additional study. Holmes replied, "Yes," and pointed to "the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime." Inspector Gregory replied, "The dog did nothing in the night-time." Holmes said, "That was the curious incident." In this case, the failure of the dog to bark when Silver Blaze was stolen showed the watch dog knew the thief. This was an important material fact; it considerably reduced the number of suspects, and eventually solved the case. Why do you think that the author gave his book this particular title?
- The main character, Christopher Boone, appears to have
a type of autism called "Aspergers Disorder" (AD). Individuals
with AD exhibit many of the same characteristics as people with typical
autism. They prefer routines, have obsessive interests, experience
difficulty determining proper body space, and are overly sensitive
to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights. The significant difference
is that people with AD have normal levels of intelligence and language
development. However people with AD often lack social skills and struggle
to form and to maintain interpersonal relationships, which makes it
difficult for them to be successful in life.
- Do you know anybody like this?
- Do you look at them the same way you would someone in a wheelchair or someone who has Down's syndrome?
- Christopher often fantasizes about being the only person left in the world. Why does he find this comforting? Have you ever had similar thoughts?
- It is clear that Christopher Boone related more successfully
with his teacher, Siobhan, than with his father. However, Siobhan
had numerous advantages (in addition to her specialized professional
training) that made it easier for her to relate with Christopher than
was the case for his father.
- What were her advantages?
- In what way(s) was relating with Christopher easier for her than it was for his father?
- Did you "buy" Christopher's explanation of the Monty Hall problem? Try a computer simulation of experiment using many trials (at least 60) at the online Monty Hall Simulator.
- Christopher Boone has a goal of becoming a scientist
- Do you think he will achieve his goal?
- Why or why not?
- Which of his characteristics would predict success and which would predict failure?
- People with autism have sometimes been described as "painfully self-centered." In what ways does such a description fit not only Christopher Boone, but also his parents?
- Christopher Boone finds lies confusing. He believes that
metaphors and novels are lies, and he clams he "can't tell lies"
(19). In fact, he declares, "…everything I have written
here is true" (20).
- How reliable is this narrator?
- What limitations does he have that challenge the readers' beliefs?
- In what ways do the minor characters function as informants who provide alternate points of view?
- The author does not have autism.
- What do you think about the book being written by someone who does not himself have autism?
- Is it appropriate and acceptable for those without disabilities to attempt to express the inner voice and experience of those who do?
- One of the unusual aspects of the novel is its inclusion of many maps and diagrams. How effective are these in helping the reader see the world through Christopher's eyes?
- One of the paragraphs on the back of the book cover
states that Christopher Boone "has no understanding of human
emotions."
- Do you agree?
- If you disagree with this statement, how might you revise it to make it reflect more accurately Christopher’s grasp of human emotion?
- Can you cite examples of situations where Christopher not only is feeling human emotions, but also clearly is aware that he is doing so?
- Why is the dog on the cover upside-down?
References
Haddon, M. (2003). The curious incident of the dog in the night-time. New York: Vintage.
Kirby, B., & Romanowski Bashe, P. Online asperger syndrome information and support. (2005). Retrieved April 14, 2005.
Waner, S., & Costenoble, S.R. (n.d.). Finite mathematics and applied calculus resource page. Retrieved April 14, 2005, from Hofstra University Web site.
For More Information
For additional questions about the summer reading, please call (585) 395-5646 or e-mail draimond@brockport.edu.
