Use this page when you know the book but need the right person, force, or relationship to carry the argument.
Come here when you need to sort out who matters, what they want, and where they actually help your argument in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Contents
The narrator and protagonist. He is 15, has autism, and tells the story with complete literal honesty. His voice shapes everything. He is brave, logical, and deeply vulnerable, and the book's power comes from seeing the world exactly as he does.
Christopher's father. He has been raising Christopher alone and genuinely loves him, but he lies about Judy's death and kills Wellington in a moment of rage. He is not a monster, but his choices force Christopher out of the only home he knows.
Christopher's mother, who he believes is dead. She left because she couldn't cope with raising a child with Christopher's needs, which she admits openly. She is flawed and honest about it. Her letters to Christopher are some of the most emotionally direct writing in the book.
Christopher's teacher and the person who encourages him to write the book. She is a steady, supportive presence. She also functions as a stand-in for the reader, someone who helps Christopher translate his experience into a form others can understand.
An elderly neighbor who tells Christopher about the affair between his mother and Roger Shears. She is kind and treats Christopher with respect. The information she gives him is the first crack in the story Ed has built.
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This guide is built from the original text to help you get oriented fast. It is designed for recall, paper planning, and getting unstuck, but it is still a paraphrased guide, not a substitute for the reading itself. Double-check anything important before you turn in formal work.