Module B: Close Study Of Text

Hsc Examiner:

Haddon has stated 'here is a character whom if you met him in real life you'd never, ever
get inside his head'. Considering Haddon's quote, what do you think is the texts main
purpose?

Student:

The main purpose in Mark Haddons novel "The Curious incident of the dog in the night-
time is to provide an insight on people who veiw the world differently, develpoing the
understanding of empathy. By Haddon creating the character, Christopher Boone a
fifthteen old boy that has aspergers the readers get an insight on what his life in like, not
only in the physical setting, but also the psychological landscape of christophers mind.
Christopher has asperger's syndrome which can make him different and isolated in
society as readed in the chapter 11 when the police officer touches him christopher hits
the man as a result of feeling uncomfortable being touched by anyone. The techique
emotional language is used to higlight to importance of christopher telling the truth,
when being asked by the poice officer if he killed wellington, stating that 'He always tells
the truth' confiding that he cannot tell lies as he feels "shaky and scared".

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Hsc examiner:

one of the distinct qualities of the text is christopher unique voice. How has Haddon
used language devices to create an understanding of christopher's character?

Student:

The distinctive qualities use in the text are Unique voice/narrator, Graphic elements,
dialogue, cross genre, Unconventional sentence structure/length, Structure and
Digressions in plot.Throughout the novel "The curious incident of a dog in the night-
time" Haddon has used visual language as christopher is a visaul learner and uses maps,
diagrams and drawings, As seen in chapter two when we see drawings of emotions to
help christopher figure out the different emotions. Irony is used to construct the
characters personality though the language technique to display how christopher
attempts to put information together so it can fit the truth that he believes, "And then i
thought that perhaps it wasn't a letter from Mother. Perhaps it was a letter to another
person called christopher, from that christopher's mother". The techniques used throw
out the text is first person narration, similies, run on short sentences and matter of fact
in which he conveys his emotion. Haddon incorperates the use of the simile, "I
sometimes think of my mind as a machine, but not always as a bread slicing machine. It
makes it easier to explain to other people what is going on inside it". This highlight the
way he thinks and views himself,compeared to how we see ourselves. The language
changes as his surrounding change from Swindon to go to see his mother in london. The
use of conjunction reflect his confusion. The disinction in the text of the terms and ideas
are formed. However, one of the most crucial aspects in this novel is that it has a lasting
impact on the responders in the unique and engaging protagonist, Christopher Boone.
The suffering of aspergers invites us into his world.

Hsc examiner:

In what way is the structure and form of the text, a reflection of christopher?

Student:

The structure of the text is formed by the way his mind works.The reflection of
Christophers is seen throughout such as, the chapters are counted only with prime
numbers because they are Christophers favourite numbers. Digressions in the plot is
important in the way it helps to contructing an insight on Christophers passion for math,
truth, education and logic. The use of matter of fact is used to convey Christophers
empathy for being a serious narrator is illastrated with the quote "This will not be a
funny book". Christopher tries to advoid thing he doesn't understand such as jokes,
srcasm and emotions,to christopher metaphors are lies as they are incomprehensive.
The incorperation of emoticons is used to understand human emotions and throughts
exposing the differences between Christopher and the readers as he cannot differentiate
emotions. One distinctive quality is the novels unusual narrative style and struture, the
first person narrative also allows us to empathise with christopher, sharing his world.
The structure of the text doesn't always follow the traditional narrative format,
Christopher writes in past tense when revealing the mystery of the dead dog and what
is revealed in his discovery. The narrative style changes throughout the novel between
the significant reportage with short yet punchy sentences that are devoid of emotion
and situations are described with the bare minimum. The digression in the plot is
important in the change throughtout the novel, giving the insight on the characters
involved in the novel, constructing strong personalities.

Hsc examiner:
'i felt sick...it was like the room was swinging from side to side'. The discovery of his
father's deception is a key incident in the text that affects christopher and his world.
Why is this key scene important and how is it represented?

Student:

This is a significant scene in the novel as it catalyst for Christopher stepping out of his confort
zone by travelling to London an unfamiliar place. The similies "i felt giddy. It was like the
room was swinging side to side, as if it was at the top of a really tall building and the
building was swinging backwards and forwards in a strong wind"reflects christophers
state and fragility. When Christopher'sfather Ed realises that his son is uncovering the
truth, he panics "sh..t, sh..t, sh..t, sh..t and i just thought.... i just throught it was better if
you didnt know.. that.. that.. i didnt mean to.." the repetitive use of expletives ilastrates
the fraught he feels knowing how Christopher will uncover his sercets. The discovery in
which christopher finds his mother letters and learns the dishonestly clearly highlighing the texts
idea of control and stability as well as the need for the truth. These ideas are revealed
through the distinct features language, graphics and perspective. These are the key
factors are used to highlight the ideas and characteristics such as christopher's discovery
of his mother's letters and his fathers lies. This focus on the dicovery of why his mother
left as well as the discovery revealing that his mother is not dead, just living in london
and that his father, who always tells the truth has lied to him.

By: Tagan davey