Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-5-eds-frustrations-and-revisiting-mrs-alexander

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [English Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature.md) › [Edexcel IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse.md) › Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander

# Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander

English Lit: Edexcel IGCSE The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, topic 3.1.5

## Ed's Frustrations

We see several of Ed’s frustrations in three consecutive scenes. Each revolves around him struggling to do right by Christopher and underline the strain that Christopher’s condition puts him under.

### Scene 1: meeting Mrs Gascoyne

![Scene 1: meeting Mrs Gascoyne](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/d84a6885-837c-4dc8-b1c9-a0ca295eb669/hand-shake-handshake-.jpg)

- In the first of these scenes - Ed’s meeting with Christopher’s headteacher, Mrs Gascoyne - we see Ed fighting against a system which will not help Christopher or make allowances for his condition.

### Ed's dedication

![Ed's dedication](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/10.1.1%20Potable%20water/pound-414418_640-min.jpg)

- As well as revealing Ed’s frustration, shown in his outburst about Christopher __“getting a crap enough deal already”__, this scene reveals Ed’s determination to fight for his son: he confronts Mrs Gascoyne with the fifty pounds needed for Christopher to be able to sit his Maths A-level examination and tells her that he is __“not going to take no for an answer”__.

### Scene 2: Ed's confrontation

![Scene 2: Ed's confrontation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/0e3553af-ba1f-4b6f-8481-bf1d3c9eb798/frustrated.jpg)

- The following scene sees Ed confront Christopher about his investigation into Wellington’s death. 
- The stage directions are significant: Ed __“shouts”__ at the mention of Mr Shears’ name before declaring that __“that man is evil”__. 
- In Ed’s longest speech of the play so far, he makes Christopher __“promise”__ that he will __“stop this ridiculous bloody detective game”__. 
- This scene marks the first moment in the play where Ed’s frustrations spill out into conflict with his son.

### Scene 3: astronaut description

![Scene 3: astronaut description](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/0342a342-7509-49b6-b150-b16d43542c6b/astronaut-.jpg)

- The last of these three scenes is brief but powerful. 
- Ed interrupts Christopher’s description of why he would be a good astronaut and asks him to __“give it a bit of a break”__.

### Ed's frustration analysed

![Ed's frustration analysed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/AQA%20New%20Modules/8.1.1/stars.jpg)

- The reasons for Ed’s frustration are left unspoken, but you can perhaps infer that Christopher’s wish __“that there was no one else near”__ him for thousands of miles is painful for his father to listen to. 
- Ed knows that Christopher will not be able to shut himself away from the world and that he will soon need to make his first difficult steps into the adult world.

## Christopher Revisits Mrs Alexander

In the longest scene of the play so far, Christopher breaks the promise he made to his father and restarts his investigation. In his conversation with Mrs Alexander, he begins to learn how complicated the adult world can be.

### Judy's affair revealed

![Judy's affair revealed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/c71e0d15-62a6-4ebd-897c-04470dd34ff9/love-affair-.jpg)

- Although Christopher does not __“do chatting”__, throughout his conversation with Mrs Alexander the audience witnesses the gradual revelation of the affair between Mr Shears and Christopher’s mother, Judy.

### __"Doing sex"__

![__"Doing sex"__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c0dae7ed-47ef-4561-b860-5a6de37e3294/wall-bed-bedroom-room-.jpg)

- Despite the tension that is built up in this scene, Stephens also creates moments of comedy for the audience such as Christopher’s question about whether his mother and Mr Shears were __“doing sex”__.

### Suspicions about 'death'

![Suspicions about 'death'](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/e6a1b233-8587-4864-88c2-5db4ce7bc7c6/question-mark-1872665_1920.jpg)

- Members of the audience may also begin to suspect that Christopher’s mother is not really dead. 
- Mrs Alexander’s shock when Christopher tells her about her death (__“Oh my goodness. Oh, Christopher I am so, so sorry. I never realised”__) may suggest that she had not realised that Christopher has been led to believe this.

## Test yourself on Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander

- What does Ed make Christopher __"promise"__ to do?
- What are the three consecutive scenes that demonstrate Ed's frustration?
- What does Christopher wish?
- What did Mrs Alexander NOT realise?__“Oh my goodness. Oh, Christopher I am so, so sorry. I never realised”__
- What does Christoper learn of when he visits Mrs Alexander?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/36b9c16b-ef8e-44b2-a41f-f08361a4bbde/section/578ec119-2d0a-4909-9678-a908b6d779be/session)

- Previous topic: [3.1.4 Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-4-mothers-death-and-beginning-the-investigation.md)
- Next topic: [3.1.6 Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-6-remembering-judy-and-fight-scene.md)

## English Lit: Edexcel IGCSE The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time contents

### 1 Introduction & Context
- 1.1 Novel & Play
  - [1.1.1 Mark Haddon's Novel (2003)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/1-1-1-mark-haddons-novel-2003.md)
  - [1.1.2 Simon Stephens' Adaptions (2012)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/1-1-2-simon-stephens-adaptions-2012.md)
- 1.2 Christopher's Autism
  - [1.2.1 Christopher's Autism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/1-2-1-christophers-autism.md)
  - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Introduction & Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-introduction-and-context.md)

### 2 Form, Structure & Language
- 2.1 Dramatic Devices
  - [2.1.1 Writing About the Text as a Playscript](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/2-1-1-writing-about-the-text-as-a-playscript.md)
  - [2.1.2 Dramatic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/2-1-2-dramatic-devices.md)
- 2.2 Genre & Structure
  - [2.2.1 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/2-2-1-genre.md)
  - [2.2.2 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/2-2-2-structure.md)
- 2.3 Language
  - [2.3.1 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/2-3-1-language.md)
  - [2.3.2 End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/2-3-2-end-of-topic-test-form-structure-and-language.md)

### 3 Text Summary & Analysis
- 3.1 Part One
  - [3.1.1 Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-1-discovering-the-dead-dog-and-christophers-autism.md)
  - [3.1.2 The Policeman & Siobhan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-2-the-policeman-and-siobhan.md)
  - [3.1.3 The Police Station & Ed's Entry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-3-the-police-station-and-eds-entry.md)
  - [3.1.4 Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-4-mothers-death-and-beginning-the-investigation.md)
  - [3.1.5 Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-5-eds-frustrations-and-revisiting-mrs-alexander.md)
  - [3.1.6 Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-6-remembering-judy-and-fight-scene.md)
  - [3.1.7 Judy's Letters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-7-judys-letters.md)
  - [3.1.8 Ed's Confession](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-8-eds-confession.md)
  - [3.1.9 End of Topic Test - Part One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-9-end-of-topic-test-part-one.md)
  - [3.1.10 End of Topic Test - Part One 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-10-end-of-topic-test-part-one-2.md)
- 3.2 Part Two
  - [3.2.1 Preparing to Run Away & Train Station](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-1-preparing-to-run-away-and-train-station.md)
  - [3.2.2 On the Train & Arriving in London](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-2-on-the-train-and-arriving-in-london.md)
  - [3.2.3 On the Tube & Arriving at Judy's House](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-3-on-the-tube-and-arriving-at-judys-house.md)
  - [3.2.4 Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-4-policeman-ed-visits-and-tensions.md)
  - [3.2.5 Back in Swindon & New Beginnings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-5-back-in-swindon-and-new-beginnings.md)
  - [3.2.6 The End & Maths Appendix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-6-the-end-and-maths-appendix.md)
  - [3.2.7 End of Topic Test - Part Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-7-end-of-topic-test-part-two.md)
  - [3.2.8 End of Topic Test - Part Two 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-8-end-of-topic-test-part-two-2.md)

### 4 Themes
- 4.1 Themes
  - [4.1.1 Independence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/4-1-1-independence.md)
  - [4.1.2 Parenting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/4-1-2-parenting.md)
  - [4.1.3 Order & Disorder](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/4-1-3-order-and-disorder.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-themes.md)

### 5 Recap: Main Quotes
- 5.1 Part One - Quotes
  - [5.1.1 The Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-1-the-dead-dog-and-christophers-autism-quotations.md)
  - [5.1.2 The Policeman & Siobhan - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-2-the-policeman-and-siobhan-quotations.md)
  - [5.1.3 The Police Station & Ed's Entry - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-3-the-police-station-and-eds-entry-quotations.md)
  - [5.1.4 Mother's Death & Investigation - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-4-mothers-death-and-investigation-quotations.md)
  - [5.1.5 Ed's Frustrations & Mrs Alexander - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-5-eds-frustrations-and-mrs-alexander-quotations.md)
  - [5.1.6 Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-6-remembering-judy-and-fight-scene-quotations.md)
  - [5.1.7 Judy's Letters & Ed's Confession - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-1-7-judys-letters-and-eds-confession-quotations.md)
- 5.2 Part Two - Quotes
  - [5.2.1 Preparing to Run Away & Train Station - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-2-1-preparing-to-run-away-and-train-station-quotations.md)
  - [5.2.2 On the Train & Arriving in London - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-2-2-on-the-train-and-arriving-in-london-quotations.md)
  - [5.2.3 On the Tube & Judy's House - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-2-3-on-the-tube-and-judys-house-quotations.md)
  - [5.2.4 Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-2-4-policeman-ed-visits-and-tensions-quotations.md)
  - [5.2.5 Back in Swindon & New Beginnings - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-2-5-back-in-swindon-and-new-beginnings-quotations.md)
  - [5.2.6 The End & Maths Appendix - Quotations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-2-6-the-end-and-maths-appendix-quotations.md)
- 5.3 Themes - Quotes
  - [5.3.1 Independence - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-3-1-independence-quotes.md)
  - [5.3.2 Parenting - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-3-2-parenting-quotes.md)
  - [5.3.3 Order & Disorder - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/5-3-3-order-and-disorder-quotes.md)