Parents often find themselves frustrated and lost when they fail to understand the actions of their children, but try their best to adapt to new situations. In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, the protagonist, Christopher Boone is a fifteen year-old autistic boy living in a dysfunctional family. Ed Boone and Judy Boone, the father and mother to Christopher, are estranged, with Ed being the primary caregiver to Chris. Ed faces many difficulties in raising his son alone in a world where few understand autism and where he himself does not fully comprehend this disorder. Furthermore, readers demonize Ed, and do not stop to consider how he positively influences Christopher by complying to his needs; asks for forgiveness
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When Christopher breaks the promise of “not sticking your nose in other people’s business” (Haddon 82), Ed becomes outraged that Christopher was able to find out about Judy Boone’s affair and that he wrote about it in his book for school. However, the next day, Ed tells Christopher “he was sorry that he had hit me and he didn’t mean to” (Haddon 85). Parents of those with autism often suffer with high stress, which is evident in Ed. In spite of his blind anger, Ed returns the next day to apologize, realizing that Christopher does not always understand him fully. Once again, when Christopher discovers the letters from his supposedly dead mother, and Ed finds him and also goes into shock as the realization that Christopher has found out his secret. He expresses his regret and sadness as he remorses “I did it for your own good, Christopher. Honestly I did. I never meant to lie. I just thought… I just thought it was better if you didn’t know” (Haddon 114). Realizing his mistakes, Ed is immediately guilty, and confesses to lying for the good of Christopher. Furthermore, apologizing for lying and killing Wellington, the neighbour’s dog. Ultimately, Ed destroys the trust he has with Christopher. To restore their …show more content…
When Mrs. Gascoyne, the headmistress of the school Christopher attends, disapproves of Christopher taking A level math, Ed makes the point to say, “And Father said he would pay someone £50 to do it after school and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer” (Haddon 45). After relentless demanding, Christopher is able to take his A maths in the course of the book instead of when he turns eighteen. Ed fights for Christopher’s right to further his abilities, and for his future. It is evident that Mrs. Gascoyne either thinks Christopher is not worth the effort or that he will not be able to succeed. In addition to this, when Terry tells Christopher he can only get a job at a supermarket or a farm, in which Ed says “Terry was jealous of my being cleverer than him” (Haddon 25), and that Terry is “most likely to end up in prison” (Haddon 26). Ed reaffirms his belief in Christopher’s intelligence, reassures him that someone like Terry is not someone to listen to further proving Ed is a supportive parent. Continuing on, Ed even wishes to move to another town, to escape, and so Christopher can work towards his dream of going to university and not have to work a minimum wage job just because of his disability. Ed continuously proves how he will withstand the doubt of others so Christopher can be happy and
When Christopher breaks the promise of “not sticking your nose in other people’s business” (Haddon 82), Ed becomes outraged that Christopher was able to find out about Judy Boone’s affair and that he wrote about it in his book for school. However, the next day, Ed tells Christopher “he was sorry that he had hit me and he didn’t mean to” (Haddon 85). Parents of those with autism often suffer with high stress, which is evident in Ed. In spite of his blind anger, Ed returns the next day to apologize, realizing that Christopher does not always understand him fully. Once again, when Christopher discovers the letters from his supposedly dead mother, and Ed finds him and also goes into shock as the realization that Christopher has found out his secret. He expresses his regret and sadness as he remorses “I did it for your own good, Christopher. Honestly I did. I never meant to lie. I just thought… I just thought it was better if you didn’t know” (Haddon 114). Realizing his mistakes, Ed is immediately guilty, and confesses to lying for the good of Christopher. Furthermore, apologizing for lying and killing Wellington, the neighbour’s dog. Ultimately, Ed destroys the trust he has with Christopher. To restore their …show more content…
When Mrs. Gascoyne, the headmistress of the school Christopher attends, disapproves of Christopher taking A level math, Ed makes the point to say, “And Father said he would pay someone £50 to do it after school and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer” (Haddon 45). After relentless demanding, Christopher is able to take his A maths in the course of the book instead of when he turns eighteen. Ed fights for Christopher’s right to further his abilities, and for his future. It is evident that Mrs. Gascoyne either thinks Christopher is not worth the effort or that he will not be able to succeed. In addition to this, when Terry tells Christopher he can only get a job at a supermarket or a farm, in which Ed says “Terry was jealous of my being cleverer than him” (Haddon 25), and that Terry is “most likely to end up in prison” (Haddon 26). Ed reaffirms his belief in Christopher’s intelligence, reassures him that someone like Terry is not someone to listen to further proving Ed is a supportive parent. Continuing on, Ed even wishes to move to another town, to escape, and so Christopher can work towards his dream of going to university and not have to work a minimum wage job just because of his disability. Ed continuously proves how he will withstand the doubt of others so Christopher can be happy and