The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time By Christopher Boone

A. Draw reader’s attention to the topic

“ The self's struggle for authenticity and definition will never end unless it's connected to its creator -- to you and to me. And that can happen with awareness -- awareness of the reality of oneness and the projection of self-hood. For a start, we can think about all the times when we do lose ourselves.”

B. General Statement regarding topic

In “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” (The Curious Incident) Christopher Boone wants to do just this, to lose himself and escape. He is aware that he is not like others, in turn not wanting to be around those unlike him due to a lack of acceptance.

C. Narrow from general statement to specifics of topic

Christopher is unlike others due to an

Further narrow to specificity of topic

Though Christopher is aware of these facts about himself, this no lessens his struggles for self and social acceptance. His self, although different than most, still seeks validation and approval. On the other hand, Christopher seeks a world with people like him, or no one at all. Therefore, he simultaneously attempts to understand others and wishes he did not have to do

A. Topic Sentence (Something reader doesn’t already know)

In another world, Christopher would want to socialize.

B. Support reason #1

1. Commentary We see his possible social desires surface only in a dream.

2. Concrete evidence/textual support “And in the dream nearly everyone on the earth is dead…” (Haddon 198)

3. Connection/Transition to next commentary He chooses to imagine a world where he was free to socialize, or not to. This appeased his self’s desire to socialize and be accepted.

C. Support reason #2

1. Commentary

When discussing Christopher, it is obvious he is unusual. In some situations, such as within his dream, he can avoid the feeling of otherness.

2. Concrete evidence/Textual support And I was "other" before being anything else -- even before being a girl. I was a noticeable nobody.

3. Concluding Sentence

Christopher dreams of no longer being a noticeable nobody.

Conclusion

Christopher longs for social interactions, but not those we would understand or be accustomed to.

Throughout he justifies himself to appease the feeling of want for approval, even subconsciously.

To accept one's self is the only way progress is