Book Analysis of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Sometimes a child has to choose between a parent. And in the Curious  Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time, it’s not clear what Christopher’s future looks like, but these 3 topics may give you a little information on which parent is the one to choose: Christopher’s likes/dislikes, comfortable space for Christopher, and which parent is financially stable. Christopher’s father will be the best parent for Christopher because he will help Christopher thrive.

Christopher needs to be around someone that knows his likes/dislikes and his dad knows more than his mom. When Christopher gets to London he  “...pushed really hard, and I fell over”(191). Christopher’s mom doesn't know his likes or dislikes because she forgot that Christopher does not like to be touched. This matters because Christopher needs to have a parent that understands him and in this case, his mom does not. However, this accurately demonstrates that Christopher’s dad does understand Christopher. Christopher's dad knows Christopher doesn't like to be touched when “ … He held up his right hand and spread his fingers out in a fan, and I held up my left hand and spread my fingers out in a fan, and we made our fingers and thumbs touch each other” (87). This shows Christopher’s dad knows Christopher’s likes and dislikes. Christopher’s father finds a way to connect with Christopher by doing a gesture with his hands and so does Christopher and this makes Christopher feel comfortable and safe. This matters because Christopher’s dad understands Christopher and Christopher may be mad at him, but he will understand that his dad is the one to choose because he knows all of his likes and dislikes. This is a crucial factor in the long run because Christopher’s father knows all of his needs which will help keep a healthy relationship for them which will eventually help Christopher’s growth and maturity.

Christopher needs to be in a comfortable living space to flourish, and his father does that better than his mom. Christopher shows how he doesn’t like his mother’s apartment when he says, “... the bed was in the same room as the kitchen and I did not like it because it was small, and the corridor was painted brown and there was a toilet and a bathroom other people used and mother had to clean it before I used it” (216). This shows that Christopher’s mother cannot provide Christopher with a comfortable living space because her apartment does not meet Christopher’s needs. This matters because Christopher needs to have all the little things in a house to properly thrive and Christopher’s mother just cannot do that. Christopher was nervous to sleep in his bed at his father’s house, but ultimately he could because “... Sandy slept on my bed” (220). Having the dog on his bed made him feel safe. Christopher was a bit scared at first, but then he realized that the dog was with him and then that made him feel safe. Christopher deeply connects with his animals and if he lived with his mother in a small room with his mother he would not be able to sleep with the dog and the dog makes him feel safe so ultimately his father’s house is a more comfortable living space. Furthermore, Christopher living with his father will not only benefit him but will also benefit his father as their relationship will grow.

Christopher needs to live with a parent who is emotionally and financially stable, and his father does that the best. Christopher’s father told his mother,“...she had to move out of the house, but she couldn't because she didn't have any money to pay rent for a flat” (149). Christopher’s mother is not financially stable because she could not even pay rent for a flat and if she can't even do that how will she meet Christopher’s needs. This is immensely important because the parent that is best for Christopher needs to be able to financially support him in a way that his mother cannot. Furthermore, if Christopher lives with his mother he will not thrive he will plunder. We know that Christopher’s father is financially stable because “he does heating maintenance and boiler repair with a man called Rhodri who is his employee”(22). This portrays that Christopher’s father is financially stable and can meet Christopher’s demands through his successful business. Readers have a sense that Christopher’s dad’s business is very successful through his nice house, and he also gets phone calls for jobs throughout the book. This is a crucial factor because owning a business puts him in a fortunate position where he is able to care for all of Christopher’s needs which will lead Christopher to be very successful. Which parent is best for Christopher? Christopher’s father will be the best parent for Christopher because he will help Christopher thrive.   Christopher’s father knows Christiphor’s likes/dislikes, has a more comfortable space, and is more financially stable than his mother which makes Christopher’s dad the better parent.