15-years old Christopher Boone flings himself into the investigation of the neighbors’ dog murder. It comes at a high price because communication with people is not Christopher’s cup of tea at all. Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a brilliant attempt of British writer Mark Haddon to show the inner world of an autist and how it feels like to live with an entirely different perception of reality and approach to life.
Christopher John Francis Boone is 15 years old teenager with behavioral problems, attending a special school for children with learning difficulties and special needs. He is very honest and straightforward person, likes sciences and maths. Christoper is fond of animals, he is a nice observer, has astonishing memory, but can not stand touched and has communication difficulties. Christopher is the narrator, through his character the author attempted to show the life of an autist with its routine day-to-day activities and problems. Christopher’s character represents the theme of communication problems and view of life problems the autists have.
“I got Siobhan to draw lots of these faces and then write down next to them exactly what they meant. I kept the piece the piece of paper in my pocket and took it out when I didn't understand what someone was saying.” – communication problem
Ed Boone, Christopher’s Father – middle-aged man prone to obesity. Single parent. Levelheaded. Runs a small business, likes watching sports on TV. In the story, he has the role of a parent of an autist who every day faces challenges of raising a child with special needs. The character of Ed Boone demonstrates the idea of devotion to a family despite everything.
“I love you very much, Christopher. Don’t ever forget that. And I know I lose my rag occasionally. I know I get angry. I know I shout. And I know I shouldn’t. But I only do it because I worry about you, because I don’t want to see you getting into trouble, because I don’t want you to get hurt.” – the devotion of a loving parent to his child.
Christopher’s Mother – small active person 38 years old, quite hot-tempered. Dreamer. Cheated on her husband with the neighbor and left the family. In the story, she has a role of a mom who is being torn between her fondness for her son and nagging problems with his behaviors. She can’t take it anymore and gives up. The idea she represents is the human foible and the struggle within the self.
“I was not a very good mother. Maybe if things had been different, maybe if you’d been different, I might have been better at it. But that’s just the way the things turned out.” – human foible
Siobhan – competent school psychologist, working with the children with special needs. She has long blond hair and wears glasses. Siobhan is a kind, tactful and patient woman. Siobhan’s character has a role of supporter and adviser, she teaches Christopher communication skills, helps him to analyze situations and make decisions. She represents the idea of comprehensibility, fairness and rationality.
“Siobhan understands. When she tells me not to do something she tells me exactly what it is that I am not allowed to do, And I like this.” – comprehensibility and rationality
So what is the biggest challenge in raising a child with autism? I guess the hardest thing is keeping optimism and salvage a marriage. Raising an autist is hard work that affects the romantic life of parents, and they should be courageous, patient, focused and be a team to avoid useless arguments and enhance relations.
