Using chapter 41 Essays

Using chapter 41 Essays Using chapter 41 Essay Using chapter 41 Essay How does the narrative technique convey Christophers relationship with his father and his fathers relationship with him? Select one other chapter where the narrative technique in a different way conveys Christophers relationship with another character?Mark Haddon uses a variety of narrative techniques to convey Christophers relationship with his father and his fathers relationship with him.The use of first person is vital to highlight the state of the pairs 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 couldnt 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 fathers 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 Christophers 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 proble ms Christopher has in relating to his own father. I could tell that he was angry because he was shouting, and I didnt want to make him angry so I didnt say anything else until we got home This sentence contradicts is self, showing Christophers confusion. They seem distant. Therefore the use of the retrospective serves to blind the reader like Christopher whilst adding drama and tension.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 fathers 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 firstly that there is more than his father lets on and secondly tha t his father takes advantage of Christophers problems, such as not being able to recognise human emotions. And he said its ok He said leave it. He lies about killing the dog despite knowing that Christopher never lies. He lies about his mother.The personalities of the two characters are highlighted through the different ways they deal with situations. Christopher forgets his ordeals by playing minesweeper in expert mode, completing it within 102 seconds at 2:07am. The precise time highlights the perceptive qualities of Christopher. On the other hand his father deals with the situation by watching snooker and drinking whisky. Their relationships are therefore unlikely to be close.Chapter 11, previous to chapter 41 shows Christopher meeting the police. Christopher uses his photographic memory to record specific detail about the police which in a way highlights their own characters which seem un-stereotypical. The police women had a little hole in her tights on her left ankle and a red scratch in the middle of the holeChristopher explains that he feels safe with the police you know what they are meant to be doing however the picture Christopher unconsciously shows is that they seem autistic themselves, they are sarcastic to the serious Christopher and are unable to see that he has mental issues despite rolling back on to the grass and pushing his face into the ground whist making groaning noises. In essence Haddon uses the police as an example to show Christophers relationship with society in general.Christopher is confused by the vast number of questions they ask, he clearly states I did not kill the dog. His linear mind simply explains what happens however from the policemens perspective he seems smart and arrogant. The linear and photographic memory highlights Christophers syndrome whilst being a narrative technique.It highlights the confusing world which Aspergers sufferers face. Despite seeing the police through a stereotypical perspective (you know what the y are meant to be doing), Christopher is still wrong this confuses him further. It spaces their relationship because the police are unable to comprehend what he means.Overall Haddon uses a variety of narrative techniques such as Retrospective, 1st person, linear memory to show the relationship between Characters.