Chapters 229-233 The Ending

The ending –
Chapters 229-233
Before reading Chapter 229
A perfect world
n Imagine that the world could be changed so that it was absolutely perfect for
you personally. Imagine what you would see, hear, taste, smell and touch in your
ideal world.

n Describe your perfect world to each other in groups of four and then talk about
what your fantasies have in common and what is different about them.

 Reading on... Chapter 229

After reading Chapter 229

n Talk about what your ideal worlds have in common with Christopher’s, and what
is different. What does Christopher’s fantasy world show about his character?

 Reading on... Chapter 233

© English and Media Centre, 2005 Studying The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time 53
 The Ending Chapters 229-233

After reading Chapter 233

Mother – thought-tracking
A disadvantage of having Christopher narrate the story is that, because he finds it
difficult to read other people’s emotions, he is not able to explain them to the reader.
Mark Haddon has to show how other characters are feeling and what they are
thinking through what they say, how they behave and how others react to them. The
reader then has to read between the lines to pick up the clues.

n Look at the section from ‘And I said where are we going?’ to ‘I need you to be
quiet for a moment.’ on pages 252 to 253 of the novel.

n Add thought bubbles to show what Mother might be thinking. The example shows
you the sort of thing you might write.

n Talk about what helped you to decide what Mother is thinking.

Funny I called it
‘home’. I suppose
And I said, ‘Where are we going?’ London doesn’t
really feel like
home.
And she said, ‘We’re going home.’

And I said, ‘Do you mean home in Swindon?’

And she said, ‘Yes.’

54 Studying The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time © English and Media Centre, 2005