Module B – Close Study of a Text

Module B - Rubric The module requires students to engage in detailed analysis of a text. It develops students’ understanding of how the ideas, forms and language of a text interact within the text and may affect those responding to it. No ORT

Students engage with the text to respond imaginatively, affectively and critically. They explore and analyse particular characteristics of the text, considering how these shape meaning. They also consider the ways in which these characteristics establish the text’s distinctive qualities. Composition focuses on meaning shaped in and through the text. These compositions may be realised in a variety of forms and media.

Key words from the rubric How – language forms and features Ideas – themes Forms – structure, novel, narration Language ‘interact within the text’ ‘affect those responding to it’ ‘particular characteristics of the text ‘characteristics establish the texts distinctive qualities’

Prepare for a variety of writing styles You may be asked to write in a range of different forms, such as; Essay Interview Speech Letter Feature Article…

Close Study of a Text To fully understand this text and be prepared for the HSC you need to consider each of the following; Context – What is the context of the novel? Genre – What is the genre? How does it relate to themes? Structural features – What structural features have been used and what is the effect? Language Features – What features have been used and what is the effect?

Setting – where is the novel set? Plot – What is the storyline? What key events are relevant to characters or themes? Characters – How are they created? What do they add to the narrative Themes – What are the themes and what values do these themes imply? What ‘distinctive qualities’ does the text have?

“affect those responding to it” Consider your first reactions to the text and the characters Did you gain a sense of empathy, to understand what is must be like to live with the difficulties associated with Asperger’s syndrome.

Context The context of the novel is the world as perceived by someone with Asperger’s Syndrome. One of the texts distinctive qualities is the first person narration of our protagonist, Christopher. Haddon had worked for several years as a volunteer carer for adults and children with behavioural problems and physical disabilities.

Setting Swindon, 120km southwest of London. Christopher’s home Neighbourhood - Christopher wanders around the neighbourhood at night Christopher’s school – where he complains that all the children are “stupid”. The police cell – which Christopher describes as “nice…almost a perfect cube” – an odd description Christopher’s journey to London – tunnels, train, the station (his worst experience) The spare room in his mother’s flat in London The room to which Christopher and his mother move at the end of the novel.

Things to consider about the setting What techniques were employed to create a feeling of comfort and safety or menace and fear in the different settings? What do the different settings reveal about Christopher’s world?

Chapters in Prime Numbers One of the first things the responder notices is that the novel begins with Chapter 2. Christopher numbers his chapters with prime numbers (2,3,5,7,11,13…) because he likes prime numbers: “I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them.” (p.15)

Two Part Structure The Curious Incident… is written in two parts. The first part deals with Christopher’s investigation into the death of Wellington. The second part with the discovery that his mother is alive and his journey to London to find her.

Inter-chapters The chapters follow a regular pattern, alternating between episodes that move the story along and ‘inter-chapters’ that contain entertaining digressions. These digressions explore a range of seemingly irrelevant topics that are important to Christopher. Mark Haddon stated, “As a narrator, Christopher likes to say precisely what happened and have done with it. The digressions helped slow up this headlong rush and give the reader another insight into the workings of his mind.”

Genre conventions Christopher states that his book is “a murder- mystery novel” (p.5) Quest narrative Bildungsroman – a narrative where a character grows and develops due to their experiences.

Visual Representations There are 53 ‘pictures’ in the novel consisting of maps, plans, logos, icons, tables… Reveals Christopher’s heightened interest in science and maths concepts. We can literally “see” what is on Christopher’s mind.

Short, factual sentences Sentence structure and word choice is economical. Simple or compound sentences Overuse of conjunctions ‘and’, ‘then’.. Reveals Christopher’s attention to detail and virtually photographic memory.

Dialogue Reveals Christopher’s inability to understand others emotions There is dramatic irony in that as the responder, we often have more insight into the other characters and their feelings than Christopher does. This adds a level of suspense to sections of the plot.

Narrative Voice The structure and language of the novel are determined by our unique narrator. His interests and perception of reality are revealed through his detailed descriptions of the world around him. We ‘see’ the world through Christopher’s eyes and therefore experience it in a way that is quite different to the way we would normally perceive it.

Detailed descriptions Christopher’s descriptions of characters such as Rhodri, Siobhan, Mr Jeavons and events such as his experience in the ‘Underground’ demonstrate his unique view of the world. “When people ask me to remember something I can simply press, Rewind and Fast Forward and pause like on a video recorder.”

Similes Christopher finds figurative language puzzling, he dislikes fiction because it is not true. He does not mind similes because they are not lies like metaphors, “He had a very hairy nose. It looked as if there were two very tiny mice hiding in his nostrils.”

Lack of emotive language Christopher’s difficulty with expressing and understanding emotion is revealed through No grief over his mother’s death Curiosity about whether an aneurysm or embolism caused her death When he discovers his mother is alive, he has no desire to visit her This is why his language is precise, factual and descriptive but NOT emotive.

Motifs Maths – this reasoning is a way for Christopher to understand the world, it is a comfort to him when he is distressed and a source of pride. Machines and computers – minds are just like computers

What is the effect of these techniques? All of these devices communicate the way Christopher sees the world and provide insight into the workings of his mind. We gain an understanding of the idiosyncrasies of Christopher’s condition.

Thematic Concerns Truth, lies and trust Disability and independence Familial relationships Individual vs. society

Trust, truth and lies A turning point in the novel for Christopher is when he finds out that his father has been lying to him about his mother’s death and the relationships of the adults closest to him. Look closely at the following references to truth and lying in the novel. You may find others that you wish to include in the table.

Create a table about the theme of truth and lies Page Nature of the ‘truth’/’lie’ Christopher’s understanding 18 “…Mrs Shears had told the police that I had killed Wellington…Slander” Christopher knows terms for lying and believes lying is very serious but confuses it with human error or misunderstanding. 20 23 24-25 109 141 151-152 156-157

The texts distinctive qualities Insight into the difficulties faced by those living with a disability – Christopher lives with Asperger’s syndrome. Insight into the challenges faced by families living with a disability – marital tensions between Christopher’s parents Appreciation for the complexities of the social world

cont… Importance of trust in human relationships Unique narrative perspective – POV and narrative style. Ask yourself…what makes this text different to other novel?