Problem
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Activity: Analyzing Stylistic Choices - Figurative Language
The Oxford English Dictionary defines metaphor as "a figure of speech in which a name or descriptive word or phrase is transferred to an object or action different from, but analogous to, that to which it is literally applicable." Aristotle says that metaphor "gives style clearness, charm, and distinction as nothing else can" (Rhetoric, Book III, Chapter II, p. 168). He also says metaphors must be fitting and "fairly correspond to the thing signified" (Rhetoric, Book III, Chapter II, p. 168). According to Christopher, however, a metaphor is "a lie" (Haddon 15).
Respond to these questions in your notes. Feel free to use a combination of pictures and words. In order to earn full credit, be sure to address each question in the prompt.
A. Why does Christopher say a metaphor is a lie (Haddon 15)? How does he respond to metaphors? What does this help us understand about his perspective and experiences?
B. Christopher says, "I sometimes think of my head as a machine, but not always as a bread-slicing machine. It makes it easier to explain to other people what is going on inside it" (Haddon 7). What does he mean by this? What kind of figurative language is he using? Why is this significant?
In Chapter 19, Christopher uses a simile to compare prime numbers to life: "Prime numbers are what is left when you have taken all the patterns away. 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" (Haddon 12).
C. What does Christopher suggest life and prime numbers have in common? In what ways have all the patterns been taken away in life? What does this comparison help us understand about how Christopher sees life? To what extent do you share Christopher's perception?
D. Why does Christopher say "a simile is not a lie unless it is a bad simile" (Haddon 17)? Do you share Christopher's understanding of a simile? In Christopher's view, how is saying "life is like a prime number" different from saying "life is a prime number"? To what extent do you see similes as different from metaphors? To what larger class of things do both belong?
E. To what extent do you see figurative language as a doorway into a certain kind of truth? How can putting two different things into relation with each other help us achieve deeper understandings?
F. How do you know if something is logical if you can't work out the rules? How do you think Christopher defines the word logical? How do you define the word logical?