Using chapter 41- How does the narrative technique convey Christopher(TM)s relationship with his father and his father(TM)s relationship with him? Select one other chapter where the narrative technique in a different way conveys Christop

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Using chapter 41- How does the narrative technique convey Christopher’s relationship with his father and his father’s relationship with him? Select one other chapter where the narrative technique in a different way conveys Christopher’s relationship with another character?

Mark Haddon uses a variety of narrative techniques to convey Christopher’s relationship with his father and his father’s relationship with him.

The use of first person is vital to highlight the state of the pair’s relationship. The book is portrayed from the perspective of an autistic Christopher, this is highly significant in Haddon being able to portray the state of the relationship. The double perspective highlights the extent of their relationship. The use of 1st person allows the reader to sympathise with Christopher, however more importantly the reader is able to define significant areas within the book which Christopher is unable to identify. Christopher unconsciously uses metaphors, which in this case highlights their relationship. There were clouds in the sky on the way home so I couldn’t see the milky way” unconsciously Christopher highlights a metaphor to suggest that his escape to the stars is being prevented. (Christopher likes being separate from society). This therefore suggests to the reader that he is forced to confront his father as to why he was taken to the police station. This in tern implies that his relationship between is father is fragmented. Likewise he is the first to speak; this suggests that is father is uncomfortable with the situation, this becomes clear retrospectively. His father’s relationship with Christopher seems loving yet fragmented. He obviously cares for Christopher by protecting him from what he feels is unforgivable. He protects Christopher from the world which in Christopher’s eyes seems confusing. Therefore it could be suggested that his father cares for Christopher greatly. This is achieved through the retrospective. Nevertheless Haddon deliberately uses this to show the problems Christopher has in relating to his own father. “I could tell that he was angry because he was shouting, and I didn’t want to make him angry so I didn’t say anything else until we got home” This sentence contradicts is self, showing Christopher’s confusion. They seem distant. Therefore the use of the retrospective serves to blind the reader like Christopher whilst adding drama and tension.

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His father lies to himself; Christopher is oblivious to the living lie which he lives each day. “Just try and stay out of other peoples business” this is ironic due to the fact that it is his business to know as the killing of the dog is as a result of his father’s mental anguish of his mother having an affair between Mr Shears.  Therefore the reader is able to build a fragmented picture of Christopher and his father.

His father uses simple action sentences to portray tension. This is passed on to Christopher. This highlights to the reader ...

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