Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation
English Lit: Edexcel IGCSE The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, topic 3.1.4
Christopher's Mother's Death
Through Siobhan narrating from Christopher’s notebook, the audience begins to learn about his mother who “died two years ago”.
Hospital flashback
- After Siobhan recounts how Christopher returns home from school one day to find neither parent in, Stephens uses a flashback to recreate the exchange in which Ed tells Christopher that his mother “has had to go into hospital”.
Heart problem
- Ed tells Christopher that his mother has “a problem with her heart”, a line which takes on deeper significance after the revelations at the end of Part One.
Short, blunt statements
- The short flashback scene in which Ed tells Christopher about the death of his mother is perhaps the most powerful scene in the play so far.
- Ed breaks the news to his son in a succession of short, blunt statements (“She’s had a heart attack… It wasn’t expected”).
Christopher's response
- Christopher’s response may be shocking to an audience.
- He replies with what appears to be a complete lack of emotion, asking his father “What kind of heart attack?” and failing to acknowledge his father’s guidance that “now isn’t the moment” for such questions.
- This short, powerful exchange reveals the severity of Christopher’s condition: he appears to be detached and emotionless, unable to process the information that his mother has died, or respond in an appropriate manner.
Foreshadowing line
- The final line in this flashback, Ed’s “I’m really sorry”, is another example of a line which takes on deeper significance after the truth about this episode is revealed at the end of Part One.
Christopher Begins his Investigation
Christopher’s investigation to find Wellington’s murderer takes him, and the audience, around his neighbourhood. Stephens creates comedy through Christopher’s interactions with the adults he encounters.
Christopher's "project"
- In a short scene with Siobhan, Christopher reveals that he is going to make it his “project” to “find out who really killed Wellington”. Siobhan offers to help him when he comes to write it down.
Mrs Shears and Reverend Peters
- Christopher’s first enquiry takes him to Mrs Shears’ house, again revealing Christopher’s insensitivity – his inability to understand or empathise with others' feelings. Mrs Shears threatens to call the police.
- He next visits Reverend Peters and has an amusing exchange about the existence of heaven. Christopher’s scientific knowledge of the universe leads him to doubt the existence of God or heaven. Flummoxed, Reverend Peters suggests they discuss this “on another day when I have more time”.
Mr Thompson and Number 40
- Christopher makes enquiries of Mr Thompson and the nameless neighbour at Number 40.
- Christopher’s formal approach to his investigation (“Did you see anything suspicious on Thursday evening?”) is humourous and mirrors the question/answer interrogations Christopher will have read in detective stories or seen on TV.
- Comedy is also created from Christopher failing to see the humour in Mr Wise’s joke about policemen “getting younger”. Christopher, confused, simply “walks away”.
Mrs Alexander
- Mrs Alexander is perhaps the most significant interviewee. She offers Christopher sympathy, kindness and a piece of Battenberg cake.
Warnings
- Throughout his interviews, Christopher is given warnings by the various adults.
- Number 10 suggests he should speak to his father and advises him to “be careful”.
- When Christopher tells Siobhan that Mr Shears is his “prime suspect”, her single-word response, “Christopher”, can also perhaps be interpreted as a warning not to continue with his enquiries.
Warnings (cont.)
- Throughout, there is a sense that Christopher’s neighbours know more about Wellington’s death than they are prepared to tell Christopher, linking to a key theme in the play: Christopher’s problematic relationship with the adult world.
Dramatic irony
- In a moment of dramatic irony, Christopher comes close to the truth (without knowing it) when he tells Siobhan that ”most murders are committed by someone who is known to the victim”.
Test yourself on Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation
What is Ed's language like when he tells Christopher about his mother's death?
How does Christopher respond when his father tells him about his mother's heart attack?
Which question does Christopher use during his investigation, showing his formal approach to the matter?