Christopher versus his mother

hard to breathe and a man came up and asked if I was OK and Mother Said,” well, What doest it look like to you?” and he went away. 206 This fact makes Christopher upset but he cannot do anything to realize his dream to do his A Math Level examination this year. It makes him feel painful. His mother also has no solution that can solve the problem between them. According to Bryna Siegel, an autistic child has lack of social and emotional reciprocity. An autistic child is uninterested in doing things to please his parents or others. He is uninterested to learn a new thing to earn attention or approval of other people 91. An autistic child has low desire to please other people and low response to social praise. Christopher also has this characteristic. It can also be seen when he persists to do his A math level test, even though his mother has told him to do it the following year. Christopher’s persistence to do his A math level test shows that he ignores his mother decision. But, since he is in London, it is difficult for him to realize his desire to do his A math level test in Swindon, Christopher’s hometown. So he really needs his mother approval and help to realize his desire. It can be said that Christopher’s lack of social and emotional reciprocity has a role in the conflict between Christopher and his mother. And mother said,” I told you. I rang your head mistress. I told her you were in London. I told her you’d do it next year.” And I said, “But I’m here now and I can take it.” And mother said,” I’m sorry Christopher. I was trying to do things properly. I was trying not to mess things up.” And my chest began hurting again and I folded my arms and I rocked backward and forward and groaned. And mother said,” come on this isn’t going to solve anything. 209-210 Christopher’s mother has tried to use informal problem – solving discussion as an approach to solve the conflict between her and Christopher. It can be seen when she discusses the problem with Christopher. Even though, this approach cannot solve the problem between them. “The next day mother drove me to school in Mr. Shears’s car because we missed the bus.” 210. Christopher’s mother finally gives up and accompanies Christopher to his school in order to do his A math Level test. This decision automatically ends the conflict between her and Christopher. According to Moore, this conflict resolution is called non violence approach. This approach is applied when there are people or a group of people who do not behave as they should. This approach forces them to behave in a desired manner. Usually this approach can be effectively used when the dispute-parties must rely on each other for their living. Christopher and his mother are relying on each other. As a mother, child is everything and Christopher’s mother realizes this fact and finally she decides to fulfill what Christopher desire. As a result, it can be concluded that this conflict is solved by applying non-violence approach. 58

CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

This chapter consists of two sections, namely conclusions and suggestions. The conclusions concern the answer of the questions stated in the problem formulation. The suggestions contain suggestion for future researcher and recommendation for English teaching and learning processes through The Curios Incident of the Dog in the Night- Time.

A. Conclusions

There are three main points that can be concluded from the analysis. They are Christopher’s characterization in the novel, the characteristics of Christopher as an autistic boy and the interpersonal conflicts that Christopher faces and how he solves them. Based on the analysis, it can be said that Christopher is the main character in the story. He becomes the focus of the story. It can be seen from his role in the story; Christopher plays a significant role in this novel. Christopher appears from the beginning until the end of the story. He also becomes the narrator of the story. As the narrator, Christopher leads the reader to his way of thinking. So, it can be concluded that Christopher is the main character because this novel tells about his life journey. Christopher is also a round character because it is difficult to describe him in a single phrase or word. He has his own way of thinking which is different from common people and has his own way to see this world and to solve some conflicts that he faces. Christopher as an autistic boy also has certain characteristics. He does not like being touched by other people even his parents. He does not like novel object. He has difficulty to interact with other people. It is also hard for him to understand and to use facial expressions and body languages. He has difficulties in understanding spoken language. He has low desire to earn approval of other people. He also has his own way of thinking. It makes him unable to copy other people’s action and thinking. Christopher who is autistic also faces many conflicts with many people. It can be found in some conflicts that Christopher faces, autism disorder also plays a role in creating the conflict. First, he faces conflicts with his neighbors. Second, he faces conflict with the policemen. Third, he faces conflict with his father. Fourth, he also faces conflict with his mother. To solve his interpersonal conflicts, Christopher applies some strategies like mediation, avoidance, informal problem- solving discussion, non- violence approach, violence approach. Christopher applies avoidance strategy as a conflict resolution when he faces conflict with Mrs. Shears and Mr. Wise. He tends to avoid conflict with Mrs. Shears. He applies avoidance as the conflict resolution, so that the tension between them is reduced. It also happens when he faces conflict with Mr. Wise, he decides to leave him because Mr. Wise laughs at him when he tries to collect information about the dog’s murder case.