Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-6-remembering-judy-and-fight-scene

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# Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene

English Lit: Edexcel IGCSE The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, topic 3.1.6

## Christopher Remembers his Mother

While telling Siobhan about what he has learned from Mrs Alexander, Christopher begins to tell her of what he remembers about his mother, Judy.

### Judy appears on stage

![Judy appears on stage](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/67628857-d606-44a1-a968-2d814825bac1/hastings-beach-.jpg)

- During the flashback to his memory of a day at the beach, the audience sees Judy, his mother, on stage for the first time.
- Christopher’s first memory of his mother is bathed in sunlight and paints a vivid picture of a fun-loving and vibrant individual, playing in the water (__“she jumped backwards and disappeared”__) and encouraging Christopher to join her (__“Over here love. Christopher! Look it’s lovely”__).

### Reassuring Christoper

![Reassuring Christoper](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/8f3feb4d-003f-45f7-81c8-5173d5ba6c99/fan-.jpg)

- After Judy scares Christopher in the water (__“I thought a shark had eaten her and I screamed”__), there is a touching moment of intimacy where Judy reassures her son (__“It’s OK Christopher”__) and spreads her fingers out in the shape of a fan. 
 - This gesture mirrors the moment of intimacy between Christopher and his father when we are first introduced to Ed.

### Regret and disappointment

![Regret and disappointment](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/76d289c8-59e4-4eca-85c6-aae572c2bd32/shutterstock_126066824.jpg)

- Even in this short flashback, there are hints of regret and disappointment from Judy.
- This foreshadows the breakdown of her marriage to Ed, as she imagines an alternative life (and an alternative relationship) with a __“local handyman”__ in the South of France.

## The Fight

In the previous flashback/Judy scene, the audience could see, on a different part of the stage, Ed finding and reading Christopher’s notebook. When Christopher returns home, Ed confronts him about the investigation.

### Violence

![Violence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/4e29ce8e-a3a1-40df-a854-4e58c6d9964e/men-fighting-argument-.png)

- In direct contrast to the gentle intimacy of the previous scene, this scene quickly becomes violent, signalled in Stephens’ stage directions. 
- Ed __“throws”__ Christopher’s notebook in anger and then __“grabs”__ Christopher’s arm. The struggle escalates into a __“fight”__ in which Ed __“shakes Christopher hard”__. 
- The power of these verbs (__“throws… grabs… fight.. shakes”__) indicates the intensity of this scene and its potential to shock an audience.

### Christopher falls unconscious

![Christopher falls unconscious](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/619f23f3-4729-4e35-a195-3354e507b135/scotch.jpg)

- Ed shakes his son so hard that Christopher falls unconscious __“for a few seconds”__. 
- The brief lull (pause) in the action gives the audience time to process what they have just seen and allows Ed to cool off. 
- He leaves the house (__“I need a drink”__) and apologises to Christopher on his return.

### Gesture of reconciliation

![Gesture of reconciliation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/549415be-39dd-4fac-8b0b-d20fea119cbd/hands-reaching-.jpg)

- The scene ends with a gesture of reconciliation as Ed and Christopher fan out their fingers and touch each other’s hands.
- But the dialogue undermines the apparent reconciliation: Christopher asks his father where his notebook is, signalling to the audience that he has not decided to obey his father and end his investigation.

## Test yourself on Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene

- Who does Judy imagine her alternative life with?
- What undermines the apparent reconciliation of the fight scene?
- What does Ed say as he leaves the house after shaking Christopher?
- What happens to Christopher after his father shakes him?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/36b9c16b-ef8e-44b2-a41f-f08361a4bbde/section/bbccef05-279a-4810-bd97-11c8de3651c2/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [3.1.7 Judy's Letters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-1-7-judys-letters.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)