The novel, House Rules, by Jodi Picoult, brings out the issues faced by children with Asperger’s syndrome; a form of autism that affects an individual’s relations with the world. It triggers their inability to communicate, interact and imagination their world. The main character, Jacob Hunt, has a special gift in deducing most of the cases in a crime scene. In all situations, his views about what the cops should do to close the case are right. However, a terrible murder rocks the town, and cops point towards Jacob for questioning. They pin him for being a key suspect in the case due to the behaviors exhibited during questioning. The story revolves about the stereotypes faced by people with Asperger’s syndrome.
Most of the people suffering from Asperger’s syndrome choose to sit by themselves most of the time, fearing rejection from the world (Staff par 4). In most scenarios, they find it hard to comprehend a simple conversation between people. They find it hard to express themselves using gestures, tonal voice and how to begin or end a conversation. It is common for them to talk out of the blues and leave people wondering what is wrong with them. The good thing about it is that one cannot notice it from the outward appearance (Staff par 7). A normal human being can easily tell another’s feelings or objective by looking at their facial experience or attire. However, it is quite hard for an individual suffering from Asperger’s syndrome to note these fundamental signs. It was the same situation experienced by Hunt when the police approached him for questioning.
Hunt is an eighteen-year-old boy, who lives with Emma, his mother, and Theo, his brother in Townsend Vermont (Still par 1). He has Asperger’s syndrome, which makes him quite hard to cope with especially with his mother. A structured schedule commands his daily life, and he is never at rest till his mother assigns him all the duties of the day. Emma and Theo devised various ways of coping with him; Theo chooses to work around Hunt’s time while Emma tries to bend his rules to fit in with hers (Still par 2). Hunt has a fascination for forensic analysis, which makes him read more about it to a point of compulsion. However, his choice of engaging with single-minded and structured activities keep frustrating his brother and mother. He tries to engage his mother in some of the cases by making himself the victim and his mother the crime solver.
The fascination for crime analysis led him stumbling upon police scanners, which he regularly listens to comprehend most of the terms used in communication. His unique character enables him to collect all information from the scanners and deduce possible solutions the cops would use (Still par 4). Hence, he tries to communicate with the police. However, it is quite unfortunate for Hunt to hear the news of the death of Jess Ogilvy, his social skills tutor. The police begin to question everyone who had any relation to Ogilvy, and one of them was Hunt. As per the training provided to police in academies, they placed their bet on Hunt being the main suspect because he avoided eye contact and could not compose his sentences correctly.
Her mother becomes terrified of the news and could not comprehend his state in prisons given the fact that he requires special handling (Still par 7). She obtains a lawyer for him to help out in the case, but he confesses to the crime when put on trial. However, the judge knew he was lying because of his actions which prompted him to query the mother, who told her about Hunt’s condition. Luck was on him when the evidence brought forth proved that Ogilvy died in a car accident. Hunt knew about it, but no one seems to bother asking him, prompting him to stay aside in the investigation.
The second question is whether special children are special or a nuisance to a family? Throughout the story, Hunt is a nuisance to his mother and brother, yet they continue to help him out. His character might not fit the description of a special character but a young boy who does not want to grow up. However, every special case has its downsides and in his case, Hunt does not have a variable attitude. He is either happy or sad in any situation. However, the major problem is the community. Should they treat a special child like a normal child and how well do they know the special children symptoms? The police, lawyers and court could not deduce that Hunt had a special condition and what he might say would not be true. They treat him like a normal child without providing him a chance to communicate. He solves the case single-handedly but the police do not bother to ask for his opinion. It is only by luck that the evidence proved his innocence in the case.
In conclusions, people suffering from Asperger’s syndrome continue to suffer in silence across the globe. It is quite unfortunate for them to lack people who would speak for them. What is worse is the lack of civil education in public institutions on special conditions. It would be effective if people observed others closely to determine their condition and not treat them as equals.
Works Cited
Staff, NAS. What is Asperger Syndrome? 2015. Web. 3 May 2016. < http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asperger.aspx >
Still, Roberta. Detailed Plot Synopsis Reviews of House Rules. 2011. Web. 3 May 2016. < http://allreaders.com/book-review-summary/house-rules-40009 >
