Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-literature/edexcel-igcse/3-2-5-back-in-swindon-and-new-beginnings [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) › Back in Swindon & New Beginnings # Back in Swindon & New Beginnings English Lit: Edexcel IGCSE The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, topic 3.2.5 ## Back in Swindon Christopher and Judy’s return is met with tensions and conflict, but a glimmer of hope appears. ### Ed leaves ![Ed leaves](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/ec0e84b7-4606-4c3d-86bf-05ceec437b42/argue-arguement-couple-angry-anger-shout-.png) - After a bad-tempered exchange with Judy, Ed agrees to leave the house __“to stay with Rhodri for a while”__ in order for Christopher to feel safe. ### Meeting Mrs Shears ![Meeting Mrs Shears](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/acff518f-fe31-4c6a-b47b-7064b3d17c5a/mission-.jpg) - In the street, Judy and her son encounter Mrs Shears who is still bitter about Judy’s role in the breakdown of her marriage. - But Judy does not allow herself to become embroiled in an argument as she is on a mission – to persuade Mrs Gascoyne to allow Christopher to sit his A-level Maths exam. ### Christopher's anxiety ![Christopher's anxiety](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/d7a48672-5053-48a4-8796-ebcc16dfc3b8/exam-students.jpg) - Christopher is in a state of high anxiety about not being able to sit his exam, with Judy telling Siobhan, __“He won’t eat. He won’t sleep.”__ - However, with Siobhan’s help, and with Mrs Gascoyne’s agreement, Christopher is allowed to sit the exam. ### Christopher's exhaustion ![Christopher's exhaustion](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/46f35257-bbd2-4ca0-8087-372ac5cebf8c/child-homework-thinking-memory.jpg) - Reverend Peters, who will invigilate the exam, declares that this is __“jolly exciting”__. - However, this moment at first appears to be an anti-climax: Christopher is exhausted and can barely read the questions. Christopher, in distress, begins to __“groan”__. ### Siobhan's help ![Siobhan's help](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/b485e6a0-ca4e-4bc5-86c2-4cd849473775/count-numbers.jpeg) - Siobhan’s ‘appearance’ beside Christopher marks the turning-point of the scene. - Although only ‘inside’ Christopher’s head, Siobhan reassures Christopher, helping him to get his breath and encouraging him to __“count the cubes of cardinal numbers”__ to help him regain his focus and composure. - Siobhan’s ‘appearance’ symbolises Christopher’s development and growing independence: he is putting into practice the coping strategies he has learned from Siobhan and taking charge of his own future. ### Comedy - stopping Christopher ![Comedy - stopping Christopher](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/d599e28d-9fdd-44c2-92a2-0b1e2cf75648/Tradgedy-Comedy-Drama-Masks-Funny-Crying.jpg) - Stephens includes another moment of humour when Siobhan stops Christopher explaining one of his answers. - She ‘breaks the fourth wall’ by referring to the play’s audience, telling Christopher that __“people won’t want to hear about the answer to a maths question in a play”__ and suggesting that he does so instead __“after the curtain call”__. - Stephens playfully draws attention to the fact that this is not ‘real life’, but simply a play, a device used in many modern comedies. ## New Beginnings As the play reaches its conclusion, Ed looks to repair the relationship with his son. ### Ed visits Christopher ![Ed visits Christopher](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/eee6bab5-d6a7-493a-8fb2-39322a189cd0/exam-sheet-answers.jpg) - In a short, but significant scene, Ed visits Christopher in the presence of Judy, there to make sure Christopher feels safe. - Ed asks his son how his exam went and a moment of suspense is created where it is unsure how, or if, Christopher will respond. - After a pause, Christopher tells his father that he was __“really tired”__ and that, as a result, he is unsure of how well he has done. ### Ed thanks Christopher ![Ed thanks Christopher](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/6e387a24-2f3e-47d8-9be4-18c2b0c171bf/thanks-you-.jpg) - Ed thanks Christopher for responding to him. The scene marks a positive shift in his relationship with his son, signalling their possible reconciliation in the future. ### Christopher's new flat ![Christopher's new flat](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/0f40f523-c5e3-4a44-bc13-c672e5d3aa0f/flats-apartments-house-housing-building.jpg) - In the following scene, Christopher tells Siobhan about the new flat he shares with his mother. - He complains about how __“small”__ it is and about having to use a shared toilet, revealing just how tough the family circumstances are, despite Judy finding a job. ### Ed's __"project"__ ![Ed's __"project"__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/971fb17e-82f3-4628-9d21-8f3856c97422/timer-stopwatch.jpg) - Another scene with Ed follows, and again progress is made. - With a timer counting down the five minutes Christopher has agreed to, Ed suggests a __“project”__ to Christopher in which they gradually spend more time in each other’s company in order that Ed can prove that Christopher can __“trust”__ him. ### Ed's present: 'Sandy' ![Ed's present: 'Sandy'](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/7d4173b6-bea4-49d0-ae2a-98d7ce4af6d4/puppy-.jpg) - Before he leaves, Ed hands Christopher a present. - It is a two-month-old Golden Retriever which Christopher immediately calls ‘Sandy’. The puppy is a symbol of a fresh start in their relationship after the damage caused by Ed’s killing of Wellington. ### __"Vegetable patch"__ ![__"Vegetable patch"__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-06/57810991-b238-4fff-86ef-7979224df0c2/vegetables-1085063_1920-min.jpg) - In another possible piece of symbolism, Christopher tells Siobhan that his father has __“planted a vegetable patch in his garden”__, perhaps representing Ed looking to the future and nurturing his relationship with his son. ## Test yourself on Back in Swindon & New Beginnings - Which of these are true of Christopher's Maths exam? - What does Siobhan's appearance in Christopher's maths exam symbolise? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/36b9c16b-ef8e-44b2-a41f-f08361a4bbde/section/32cfbc1a-d723-4b4d-90ff-f8de2f319d7c/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)