The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is not only a somewhat unconventional detective

story. In many aspects, it’s also a coming-of-age novel.

1) Read the definition of the coming-of-age novel below and underline its main characteristics.

WHAT IS A COMING-OF-AGE NOVEL?

A coming-of-age story is a genre of literature that focuses on the growth of a protagonist

from youth to adulthood ("coming of age"). Coming-of-age stories tend to emphasize
dialogue or internal monologue over action (…). The subjects of coming-of-age stories are
typically males in their mid-teens, although sometimes females are the protagonists.

A coming of age story, also called a Bildungsroman, is all about the protagonist's journey
from being a child to being an adult. It is a journey that takes a young person from naïve to
wise, from idealist to realist, and from immature to mature. The path of the protagonist, or
main character, can vary from story to story. Perhaps he had to go to war, or lost his
mother, or experienced extreme injustice, or went on some great worldwide adventure.

There will usually be pain and suffering along the way - growing up isn't easy. However, no
matter the narrative direction, the result is that the hero grows from his experiences and
in some way loses the childhood innocence that helps steer him towards adulthood.

As with any character arc, it is in this journey that their transformation occurs. But in
coming-of-age stories, the conflicts the characters face force them to realize that they are
now on their own, that parents, friends and society will not save them, and they must rely
on themselves. And with this painful realization comes each hero’s individuation. They now
define themselves and stand up for who they are – usually in defiance of parents or figures
of authority.

2) What are the characteristics of the coming-of-age novel that can be found in the Curious Incident?
Why could we say that Christopher is closer to becoming an “adult” in the end? Explain and illustrate
with precise elements from the story.