Haddon’s "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time": Unique Perspective of an Asperger's Sufferer
Many contemporary composers exploit narratives in order to influence the perceptions of the reader. Haddon’s novel, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’ (CIDNT), is made memorable through utilisation of the unique perspective of an aspergus sufferer to explore the difficulties inherent in raising an autistic child and thus alter the perceptions of the reader concerning the complex connection between disability and dependence. A multiplicity of text types and textual features increase the memorability of the novel, entangling the reader within the family mystery come drama as the value of truth and trust in relationships is examined and stability and order are pursued. The novel is made memorable through an unexampled representation of a minority, where the reader experiences first-hand the ordeals faced by the autistic protagonist and those within their inner circle, diverting the reader from stereotypical perceptions.
Narration has a profound formative influence on the way in which the reader responds to the text. Within his novel, Haddon overturns preconceived perceptions of the logic and order-based reliance of aspergus sufferers through the emotionless and complex mind of the protagonist, Christopher Boone. This initiates the reader into the memorable but disconnected and often conflicted world of an autistic savant. The words ‘I wouldn’t have Shreddies and tea because they are both brown’ unveil one aspect of Christopher’s continuous struggle between emotion and logic. The quote reveals how actions and emotional responses are tied to colours and patterns in an attempt to instil order over often extreme emotional responses. The fight for order is further emphasised by Haddon’s use of footnote, which expresses the nature of Christopher’s highly factual mind and reinforces his inherent need for stability and logic. Repetition within the later quote ‘Grabbed hold of me and pulled me… He kept pulling and he pulled me’ imparts the disastrous
Narration has a profound formative influence on the way in which the reader responds to the text. Within his novel, Haddon overturns preconceived perceptions of the logic and order-based reliance of aspergus sufferers through the emotionless and complex mind of the protagonist, Christopher Boone. This initiates the reader into the memorable but disconnected and often conflicted world of an autistic savant. The words ‘I wouldn’t have Shreddies and tea because they are both brown’ unveil one aspect of Christopher’s continuous struggle between emotion and logic. The quote reveals how actions and emotional responses are tied to colours and patterns in an attempt to instil order over often extreme emotional responses. The fight for order is further emphasised by Haddon’s use of footnote, which expresses the nature of Christopher’s highly factual mind and reinforces his inherent need for stability and logic. Repetition within the later quote ‘Grabbed hold of me and pulled me… He kept pulling and he pulled me’ imparts the disastrous