Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Analysis

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As stated by developmental researcher Kang Lee, “Some children begin to tell lies as young as two years of age.” (Lee 3:34). Lying has and always will be perceptible within our society. Adults and children alike sometimes find themselves telling lies daily, whether they be colossal or miniscule. In Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the foremost character, Christopher Boone, finds himself telling white lies somewhat frequently, though he detests the act of lying. Throughout this novel deceit is a prevalent theme, but what is the distinction between a white lie and a real lie? For the duration of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time there are several situations in which a white lie or a real lie is told depending on Christopher’s reasoning. Including Ed Boone’s lie, which was categorized as …show more content…
It is exceptionally apparent that he feels rather strongly concerning the act of telling lies. He abhors lying, but finds himself telling what he claims are innocuous white lies. As stated by Christopher, “And I said, “I have been out.” This is called a white lie. A white lie is not a lie at all. It is where you tell the truth but you do not tell all of the truth.” (Haddon 48). He regards white lies as conceivably acceptable, though he sees real lies completely and utterly unacceptable. He even goes as far to state that he cannot tell an actual lie. According to Christopher, “I do not tell lies. Mother used to say that this was because I was a good person. But it is not because I am a good person. It is because I cannot tell lies.” (Haddon 19). He doesn’t specify why he cannot tell a lie, though it is likely due to his own reasoning and understanding of lies, their meanings, and their consequences. Christopher is obviously increasingly passionate about lying, but is his definition of white lies too simple to be accurate? Yes, more than

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