Mark Haddon, the author of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, has used a range of language techniques and stylistic features to present the perspectives of each character throughout the novel. To express the perspective of the protagonist, Christopher; Haddon has used first person narration and symbols throughout the novel. Mother was presented through different language features such as flashback, and unreliable narration by Christopher. Haddon used different language, tone and writing style throughout Mother’s letters to juxtapose her perspective. Each of these techniques assisted the reader in understanding Christopher and his world.
Haddon has used first person narration and symbolism to display Christopher’s perspective …show more content…
Consequently, Christopher’s unreliable writing style depicts how his mother was presented, portraying her as a heartless, uncaring mother; a prime example of this is: ‘Mother would say, “Jesus, Christopher, I am seriously considering putting you in a home” (pg.61)’. Christopher’s writing style is exceedingly factual and detailed, but it is also toneless and emotionless. He does not understand that his behaviour may have caused her to feel that way. Hence this is an accurate representation of his untrustworthy writing style. Christopher believes his mother is deceased, therefore he is only able to use flashback whilst talking about her. His flashbacks rely completely on his point of view and do not express his mother’s perspective. The use of flashbacks and Christopher’s factual, detailed and emotionless writing style means he cannot express the emotion and tone of his mother. Christopher has shown his mother’s personality to the reader ‘Mother was a small person who smelled nice. And she sometimes wore a fleece with a zip down the front which was pink and it had a tiny label which said Berghaus on the left bosom (pg. 24)’. Whilst this section was excessively descriptive it lacks the emotional element within, thus not allowing for an understanding of Mother. Haddon has used Christopher to represent Mother using an unreliable writing style and flashback, this increases an inaccurate opinion about
Haddon has used first person narration and symbolism to display Christopher’s perspective …show more content…
Consequently, Christopher’s unreliable writing style depicts how his mother was presented, portraying her as a heartless, uncaring mother; a prime example of this is: ‘Mother would say, “Jesus, Christopher, I am seriously considering putting you in a home” (pg.61)’. Christopher’s writing style is exceedingly factual and detailed, but it is also toneless and emotionless. He does not understand that his behaviour may have caused her to feel that way. Hence this is an accurate representation of his untrustworthy writing style. Christopher believes his mother is deceased, therefore he is only able to use flashback whilst talking about her. His flashbacks rely completely on his point of view and do not express his mother’s perspective. The use of flashbacks and Christopher’s factual, detailed and emotionless writing style means he cannot express the emotion and tone of his mother. Christopher has shown his mother’s personality to the reader ‘Mother was a small person who smelled nice. And she sometimes wore a fleece with a zip down the front which was pink and it had a tiny label which said Berghaus on the left bosom (pg. 24)’. Whilst this section was excessively descriptive it lacks the emotional element within, thus not allowing for an understanding of Mother. Haddon has used Christopher to represent Mother using an unreliable writing style and flashback, this increases an inaccurate opinion about