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The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Honesty Analysis

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Many people wonder if it is wrong to lie or if there are some situations where lying is the best option. In the book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, Haddon shifts Christopher’s outlook on honesty and it changes drastically. Many people, including Christopher, believe in the statement “honesty is the best policy”. However, while Christopher becomes more independent, he realizes that in some situations being dishonest might be the best answer. He used to be unable to lie to people, but now starts acquiring the trait of dishonesty. Christopher used to not be able to lie but, after leaving home he now understands in some circumstances he must lie in order to survive.
Christopher’s initial motto was along the lines …show more content…

When Christopher’s father comes back home after leaving, he sees Christopher reading his mother’s letters. Christopher’s father was trying to hide the letters from Christopher, but was unsuccessful. When Christopher’s father realizes this he immediately said, “Those are. . . Oh shit. . . Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit." (Haddon 114) knowing that Christopher read the letters from his mother. Christopher’s father said, “I killed Wellington” (Haddon 120) and Christopher could not comprehend whether his father was joking around or being completely honest with him. Christopher’s father tells Christopher the truth about his mother and Wellington after talking about the letters. When Christopher realizes his mother is alive and his father lied to him, he felt betrayed. His father tells Christopher it was for his own good and that he had to keep it a secret from him. Christopher’s thoughts were scattered; he no longer knew whether he could be near his father. The relationship he has with his father is crushed with a simple lie. Christopher’s father who matters to Christopher the most lies to Christopher, and his point of view suddenly shifts when he realizes

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