3.1.1

Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism

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Christopher Discovers the Dead Dog

The play opens with 15-year-old Christopher Boone standing over the dead body of Mrs Shears’ dog. The dog lies on the ground, having been stabbed with a garden fork.

Shocking image of a dead dog

Shocking image of a dead dog

  • The opening image of a dead dog lying onstage with “a large garden fork sticking out of its side” is shocking in its presentation of brutal violence.
  • It is also surreal – an unexpected, nightmarish image more suited to violent horror or thriller stories.
Dead dog - catalyst

Dead dog - catalyst

  • The dead dog is the catalyst for subsequent events in the play.
  • Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to Wellington, Mrs Shears’ dog.
Introducing Mrs Shears

Introducing Mrs Shears

  • The audience is only briefly introduced to Mrs Shears in this opening scene.
  • That her first two lines of dialogue both feature her swearing (“What in fuck’s name have you done to my dog?”) illustrates her anger and shock.
  • The imperative “Get away from my dog” is repeated three times, suggesting Christopher is unwilling to leave the dog or is momentarily confused by Mrs Shears’ anger.
Introducing Siobhan's narrative

Introducing Siobhan's narrative

  • The audience is also introduced to Christopher through the figure of Siobhan, his teacher.
  • Siobhan reads from Christopher’s notebook, a dramatic device allowing the audience access to Christopher’s thoughts.

Stevens Reveals Christopher’s Autism

Stevens uses the opening scene to signal Christopher’s autism, revealed in his speech, actions and reactions.

Factual language

Factual language

  • Christopher’s language is distinctive.
  • His opening lines are made up of a succession of short sentences, which tend to list facts and display a sharp eye for precise, and not always relevant, detail (e.g. the orange leaf stuck to the bottom of the policeman’s shoe).
Aptitude for Maths

Aptitude for Maths

  • It is clear that Christopher has an aptitude for Maths and can memorise and recite countries, capital cities and “every prime number up to 7507”.
Reaction to Mrs Shears' anger

Reaction to Mrs Shears' anger

  • Christopher’s reaction to Mrs Shears’ anger - covering his ears with his hands, rolling forward and “groaning” while he presses his forehead to the ground - reveals the distress he feels when confronted by emotions that he cannot process, a behavioural trait often associated with severe autism.
Jump to other topics
1

Introduction & Context

1.1

Novel & Play

1.1.1Mark Haddon's Novel (2003)1.1.2Simon Stephens' Adaptions (2012)
1.2

Christopher's Autism

1.2.1Christopher's Autism1.2.2End of Topic Test - Introduction & Context
2

Form, Structure & Language

2.1

Dramatic Devices

2.1.1Writing About the Text as a Playscript2.1.2Dramatic Devices
2.2

Genre & Structure

2.2.1Genre2.2.2Structure
2.3

Language

2.3.1Language2.3.2End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language
3

Text Summary & Analysis

3.1

Part One

3.1.1Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism3.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan3.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry3.1.4Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation3.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander3.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene3.1.7Judy's Letters3.1.8Ed's Confession3.1.9End of Topic Test - Part One3.1.10End of Topic Test - Part One 2
3.2

Part Two

3.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station3.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London3.2.3On the Tube & Arriving at Judy's House3.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions3.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings3.2.6The End & Maths Appendix3.2.7End of Topic Test - Part Two3.2.8End of Topic Test - Part Two cont....
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Independence4.1.2Parenting4.1.3Order & Disorder4.1.4End of Topic Test - Themes
5

Recap: Main Quotes

5.1

Part One - Quotes

5.1.1The Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism - Quotations5.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan - Quotations5.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry - Quotations5.1.4Mother's Death & Investigation - Quotations5.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Mrs Alexander - Quotations5.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene - Quotations5.1.7Judy's Letters & Ed's Confession - Quotations
5.2

Part Two - Quotes

5.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station - Quotations5.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London - Quotations5.2.3On the Tube & Judy's House - Quotations5.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions - Quotations5.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings - Quotations5.2.6The End & Maths Appendix - Quotations
5.3

Themes - Quotes

5.3.1Independence - Quotes5.3.2Parenting - Quotes5.3.3Order & Disorder - Quotes

Practice questions on Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism

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  1. 1
    In what way is the dead dog a catalyst for subsequent events in the play?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What relationship does Siobhan have with Christopher?Multiple choice
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End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language

The Policeman & Siobhan