• A New Kind of Hero: A Look at Autism in 'The Curious Incident'

Disability is a rare topic in literature and in society as a whole, but when we do see it portrayed in popular media, it is often seen as an issue to be overcome or it plays some sort of narrative function. This paper explores the ways in which Mark Haddon’s 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' diverges from other works in terms of how the disabled character is presented. 

After first examining how Disability Studies scholars have interpreted the use of disability in novels such as Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol,' this paper describes how Haddon's autistic narrator, Christopher, challenges the typical perception of disabled individuals, both in narratives as well as in the outside world, through his acceptance of who he is. By focusing in on the character's positive attitude about himself--disability and all--as well as on what this character manages to achieve throughout the course of the novel, this paper emphasizes the importance of viewing individuals like Christopher more as humans rather than as incapable victims.