August 28, 2005
Live Poodle vs. the Cover Poodle
Awhile ago, Dust Jacket received some notice from other bloggers in the academic realm. One blogger, Joanna, has thoughtfully posted a picture relating to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
As a "cybergift," the picture has become a part of Joanna's page. This could be seen as a testament to the inspiration that the image of an upside-down poodle has on the readers of this book.
Assess the dust jacket: how does the image strike you? Joanna's photo is of a live dog, and it looks odd upsides down, despite the fact that the very same image (though reduced in detail, size, and life-likeness) graces the cover of the book. But is it really the same as the image on the cover of the book? What difference does it make in your mind? Why is it strange to see the photo of the dog upside down, but not as strange to see the silhouette of the dog, basically another shape like a circle or triangle, in the same position? What would Christopher, our narrator and main character, have to say on this issue?
Definitely something to think about. Oh, pictures are worth more than just one-thousand words!
Thanks, Joanna!
Posted by KarissaKilgore at 12:54 PM | Comments (1)
August 24, 2005
Did You Like It?
A few points to this entry:
For those freshmen that are moved in on campus, welcome! It's great to see more students on campus, and it's a great feeling to know that the new school year is just around the bend!
For those that haven't arrived yet or are commuting, safe journeys please!
If there are any of them present, I'd like to welcome the RTAs at SHU to Dust Jacket. As the books were handed out during a training session the other day, I took the opportunity to announce this blog to those that are interested (and find a spare second to stop by!). Hopefully some more input would spur some more discussion.
With the date of the book discussion growing closer, I thought it might be nice to welcome some open questions about the story. Please feel free to post any specific questions to begin discussion.
I would like to hear your thoughts on whether or not you liked it, but also specifically why or why not. Try to dig deep into the book's pages for reasoning and to question your usual methods of deciding if you do or do not like a book.
Sound off, freshmen! I want to know what YOU think.
Posted by KarissaKilgore at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2005
Apolgies!
My apologies that I haven't updated this blog for awhile. What with moving back to campus, breaking my foot, and RA training I haven't exactly had a free moment to do much of anything but sleep! (Crutches really wear you out...)
A reminder for freshmen: the book discussion will be the 8th of September, so you've got just a little more than a week to have it read. Please be prepared for this. The more of you that participate, the better it will be and the more satisfying it will be.
Until again, read on!
Posted by KarissaKilgore at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2005
Christopher's Color Crisis
I've been done with the book for a little while now, and I've had time to think over some different parts that bothered me.
First, let me get something out of the way: I did like the book. It was creatively written and took a much different perspective than what I am used to, so I appreciated that.
I suppose that it is because I have no experience in working with (or even knowing) an autistic person that I do not understand the need for such references to the colors that Christopher hates (yellow and brown, p. 84). He admits that his reasoning is somewhat silly, but also thinks that it is rational because if he didn't have reasons to not like certain things he would spend all his time deciding what he could like or could do. But is ruling out two whole colors really a good idea?
Christopher also mentions specific colors when he is deciding what kind of day he will have. His method for doing so is somewhat odd. His morning routine of counting cars of certain colors was a game I remember playing when I was younger. Only, for me, the number of red cars didn't spell out whether or not I was going to have a good day. For as much as Christopher thinks that believing in God is stupid, I can't understand how he can justify this process of determining what sort of day he will have. What led him to the conclusion that 4 red cars in a row make a Good Day, 3 red cars in a row make a Quite Good Day, and 5 red cars in a row make a Super Good Day?
The explanation on page 24 is what Christopher tells his psychologist. Basically he explains that he liked logic and order--this, if nothing else, is obvious. Christopher needs stability and order otherwise he cannot function. In the same sense, though, Christopher says he does not believe in God because it is not logical (p. 164).
Creating his own order and logic--his system of counting cars to determine a Good Day, etc.--Christopher contradicts himself. If it is not logical to believe in God, which is something so widespread and universal (whether it is through any of the myriad of religions or simple nondenominational, unorganized belief in God), how can Christopher think that 4 red cars equalling a Good Day is logical?
I understand that he needs to somehow declare things he doesn't like. Apparently, though, Christopher cannot make decisions without rules. Let's pretend that he doesn't hate yellow and brown. Could Christopher choose to eat something yellow (let's say a banana) because he wanted it? Or would he consider eating a banana, a yellow apple, vanilla pudding, lemon meringue pie, and yellow squash? Would he not be able to make a decision without having certain colors ruled out altogether?
Evidently thinking of autistics as picky eaters is not uncommon. Since autism is largely associated with sensory perception, I suppose (as a very uneducated guess) that autistics would need to cut down on the number of things they experience (colors, tastes, etc.) in order to function in the ever-changing world. Christopher, for example, says that he hates new places (p. 140). Page 169 shows Christopher taking in all the signs and information in the train station in London--he says "my brain wasn't working properly," so he is cognizant that this is happening. He cannot do anything about it, though, except remove himself from the situation or block the excess information out.
"Sensory issues: dislike of certain sounds, textures and/or tastes; dislike of being touched; very passive or very active behavior; nervousness; unaware of various physical stimuli such as pain; covering ears at loud noises; "blanking out" in active environments; often seem to be uncomfortable in extreme temperatures" - Common Characteristics of the Person with Autism PDD
Posted by KarissaKilgore at 01:00 PM | Comments (3)