There is a stage in everyone’s life where an individual begins to seek independence, question the status quo and authority while trying to develop his or her own identity. This period of time tends to happen during one’s adolescence year where intense emotions and drastic changes characterize this crucial time of development. In Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the story follows 15-year-old Christopher Boone as he goes on a journey toward independence through the discovery of truths. This process is already difficult for many teenagers, but this experience would be especially challenging to Christopher as the novel indicates that he is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. The portrayal of his character in the novel shows that he is extraordinarily gifted in math, science and analytical thinking, but is severely under-equipped with basic social skills to perform daily interactions. Despite his differences, he is still an average teenager who desires for his independence. The novel demonstrates Christopher’s struggle in becoming independent through his will to solve the murder mystery of Wellington, his plan for future, and his trip to London.
The novel begins with Christopher hugging his neighbor’s dead dog (Wellington) and was curious about the cause of the death. During Christopher’s investigation, a minor misunderstanding with the police occurs, and his father (Ed Boone) warns him to stay out of this case to avoid further trouble. Even though Christopher doesn't directly argue, he attempts to find excuses to justify his continuing investigation. This rebellious act and he contradicting his father mark the first time he tries to decide for himself. He no longer wants to be constrained and controlled by his father, regardless of the correctness of his choice, he is exercising his self-determination power in order to achieve independence. During the process of investigation, it forces him to interact with many strangers in his neighborhood. He is clearly uncomfortable with talking to people he is unfamiliar with, but by choosing to come out of his comfort zone, he is learning to become self-reliant. His decision to carry out the investigation alone while overcoming obstacles illustrates his will to be independent.
Christopher repeatedly emphasizes the importance of A-level math. To Christopher, this is not only something for him to take pride in but also it is a crucial step for him to discover his future which ultimately leads to his independence. The second last paragraph of page 221 says “And then I will get a First Class Honor degree and I will become a scientist.” This quotation indicates his clear ambition in life and well-organized plan about going to university and beyond. These goals also involve being able to live alone without protection from his parents. His completion of the A-level math exam is the first step toward achieving his goals. This accomplishment also gives him confidence in his abilit...
