Student Question
Why is Christopher fascinated with illustrations, diagrams, and maps in "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"?
Quick answer:
Christopher is fascinated with illustrations, diagrams, and maps due to his logical thinking and potential mild form of Autism, such as Asperger's Syndrome. These visual aids align with his logical, analytical abilities, allowing him to process information in a structured manner. This engagement with complex images helps him manage stress and provides a sense of relaxation, as it aligns with his cognitive strengths and preferences.
In Mark Haddon's novel "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime," the protagonist Christopher describes himself as a "mathematician with some behavioral difficulties." It is implied throughout the course of the book that Christopher might have some mild form of Autism, such as Asperger's Syndrome (although I should clarify that this is never directly addressed in the book but is stated in the book's blurbs).
Christopher's complex mind has many facets and one of those facets is his ability to think logically. This might explain why he is fascinated by illustrations, diagrams, and maps. As a logical thinker, he is naturally gifted at reading, analyzing, and understanding complex images and grids. Being able to study these illustrations takes the stress off his mind. In doing this, his mind feels relaxed.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.