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Introduction
The novel revolves around an investigation carried out by Boone Christopher into the death of a poodle. Written by Haddon Mark, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” depicts different themes exhibited by the narrator and other characters in the novel. It is important to note that Haddon begins the plot with a simple need to discover the murderer of a poodle but manages to reveal secrets to the characters and his readers. Christopher as the narrator and the main character shows independence that does both harm and good in the novel. To identify the pros and cons of Christopher’s sense of liberty, there is need to analyze the outcomes of said liberty in the novel’s plot.
Summary
As the novel starts, Boone Christopher discovers Mrs. Shears dead poodle. In a bid to discover the murderer, Christopher launches an investigation and finds himself in the middle of secrets and deception between his home and that of Mrs. Shears who happens to be his neighbor. For instance, he discovers that his mother is alive and that she and Mr. Shears ran away together and in turn caused the beginning of a romantic affair between Mrs. Shears and his father. However, as the story progresses, readers are aware of Christopher’s incapability to decipher false information from the facial expressions of those he interviews.
Thesis Statement
Boone Christopher depicts a number of traits in the novel but they are all bound by the fact that he lives in his own world and fails to recognize the views and mannerisms of the other characters. His solitary life shows independence, something that has both negative and positive impacts while ensuring his ongoing maturity in the narration.
Positive and Negative Independence
Christopher leads a solitary life and shows a need to live as he pleases without interaction with other people. For instance, the narrator states that, “when I am still awake at three or four in the morning and I can walk up and down the street and pretend that I am the only person in the world” (15) His preference for solitude can directly indicate that he is independent and relies on himself. With regard to the novel’s plot, Christopher’s lack of obedience to his father leads to the unraveling of well-hidden secrets. This is so as he disobeys his father and the police and relies on himself to discover the killer of his neighbor’s dog. During the investigations, he rummages through his father’s personal items to recover his confiscated journal and discovers the whereabouts of his mother.
The first sense of independence is positive as in the end; Boone Christopher acquires a sense of responsibility and maturity. Christopher’s character attests to by stating that, “I will be able to get a job and earn lots of money and I will be able to pay someone who can look after me and cook my meals and wash my clothes or I will get a lady to marry me and be my wife” (216). After discovering the love affairs that had beforehand been a secret among his parents and the neighbors, most readers will expect his destruction by the information. Instead, Boone Christopher has ideas of finding employment and even marriage. In addition, while most people, including the police, had overlooked the dog’s death, Boone Christopher opted to look for the killer and find justice for the animal. It can be argued that in his feat to help others, Christopher ends up helping himself as secrets in his family are revealed and he finds out the truth his parents hid from him.
The negative aspect of his independence finds root in the fact that he disobeys his father and reveals a secret that put his parents to shame. It is possible that the older Boones sought to protect their son from pain and confusion by trying to hide his affairs. However, despite these shortfalls, it is possible that the parents underestimate Christopher as they protect him as one would a child. Christopher’s attitude during the murder investigations and after the same, show his development into a man who is capable of handling matters regardless of what his parents think.
Conclusion
It is evident that his solitary life shows independence, something that has both negative and positive impacts while ensuring his ongoing maturity in the narration. Despite independence having a few shortfalls, Christopher and the other characters seem to embrace it as each one of them assumes responsibility for their actions and regards the other as an adult. A good instance is in Mr. Boone’s owing up to the killing of Mrs. Shears poodle. Boone Christopher helped the other characters to see their mistakes and own up to them. He also helps himself overcome his need for isolation and thinks of marriage.
Work Cited
Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time . New York: Vintage, 2004.
