3 - chapter 73-113

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Lesson 3

Today

• Language and communication
• Red herrings
• Today's assignments
• Exit question

Language & communication

• Language is a tool used to communicate
• Communication can be verbal but also non-verbal
• Culture is a big part of communication 

Red herring

A Red herring is a plot device (storytelling technique writers can use to move the plot of a story forward in some way)

 

Red herrings are false clues readers (or viewers) are given to distract from the actual plot in a book/movie 

What red herring is used in the movie 'Frozen' ?

Frozen's red herring

It seems like the Duke of Weaselton is the villain of the story but he is only a distraction (red herring) to the real villain of the story = Hans

00:51

What miscommunication causes Christopher to keep investigating the murder and not stop like his father wants?

Christopher can only follow instruction precisely as it was given and doesn't understand the underlying message

He didn't understand the last part: "other people's business" He wants everyone to be very clear and straightforward as Siobhan.

"But when other people tell you what you can't do they don't do it like this. So I decide for myself what I am going to do and what I am not going to do" (Ch. 59, p. 26)

Therefore, he requires very specific instructions in order to follow a command.

03:10

Can you name examples of miscommunication in the book?

- Letters from Christopher's mom

- Christopher's father telling him not to investigate the murder

- Christopher wrestles with understanding facial expressions (raising an eyebrow (Ch. 29), metaphors, jokes etc.

- The policeman grabbing him: He hits him because he doesn't like being touched and he asks too many questions.

(Ch. 31, p. 16) "I have spoken to your father and he says that you didn't mean to hit the policeman. I didn't say anything because this wasn't a question."

Between him an Mr Wise: "Policemen really are getting younger, aren't they? Then he laughed. I do not like people laughing at me, so I turned and walked away (Ch. 67)

04:18

What tips/advise about communication would you give to someone who meets Christopher for the first time?

Today's exercises

• Read chapters 73-113
• Do the creative assignment
• Update the character list
• Update the list with themes
• Write a short summary (in your own words)

End of the lesson: check test results on kwizl.eu/app

How is Christopher's way of communicating shown through the writing style of the book?

Mark Haddon uses short, simple declarative sentences to convey Christopher's habits of mind (drawings as well). The book is also written from his point of view.