Christopher Boone Turning Point

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Life is full of turning points, and how we respond to them can lead to significant growth and transformation. Mark Hadden's mystery novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, describes the life experience of Christopher John Francis Boone, a young man from Swindon who encounters obstacles that influence his decision making. Through his experiences, he unravels the truth surrounding his family, the murder of his neighbor’s dog, and himself. In order to unravel this truth, Christopher travels to London where he faces social and sensory issues that impact how he deals with his journey. Christopher's personal development occurs as he attempts to comprehend the challenging world, exceeds his boundaries, and ambitions as an independent …show more content…

Prior to Christopher’s journey to London, he faced difficulties trusting his father. He learned that his father, Ed, had killed Wellington, the neighbor's dog and concealed letters sent to Christopher by his mother. According to these letters, his mother, who had not been seen for two years and was believed dead, was alive and living with Mr. Shears, also known as Roger. As a result of discovering this, Christopher fears for his life, believing he is living with a murderer and a liar. Christopher reached a turning point in his life when he learned of the revelations and began his journey to London in search of his mother. However, as Christopher embarks on his journey to London and confronts numerous challenges, he gains a new perspective on the world. He arrives in London but returns shortly back to Swindon as his mother and Roger have constant arguments, causing Christopher to confront his father. Despite his hesitant attitude at first, their communication leads to them resolving their past issues and regaining trust. He is able to empathize and forgive. His newfound emotional maturity is highlighted in his willingness to communicate with his father upon his return to Swindon. This marks a significant step towards understanding the people with whom he had trouble at the beginning of the novel. Through this behavior change, Christopher gains a deeper understanding of the complexity of human …show more content…

At the beginning, Christopher sees himself as an outsider in the world, struggling with social interactions and unable to comprehend the complex emotions of others. However, through his investigation into Wellington's death and his trip to London, Christopher gains new social skills and a better understanding of the world around him. Additionally, his discovery that his mother is alive and living in London marked a significant turning point in his life changing the way he eventually views his future. This experience forced Christopher to reconsider his preconceived notions about his world and his place in it, ultimately leading to a change in his personality. Furthermore, Christopher's determination to achieve his goals is presented by this quote, "And then, when I've done that, I am going to go to university in another town...And I can take Sandy and my books and my computer" (Haddon 220). His newfound confidence is evident as he is eager to attend university and take control of his future. By the end of the novel, Christopher has become more self-aware, confident, and independent. Christopher's journey throughout the novel represents a significant change in his vision of himself in the world, from feeling like an outsider to gaining a sense of direction and purpose in his