Christopher
Why did Chris want to return to Swindon while in London?
Because he wanted to take the placement exam for the higher math class
Why did Mr. Shears leave Judy?
Because he was unwelcoming of Chris, and he didn't want to sustain his existence any longer.
Who is Mrs. Alexander?
An elderly woman who is Chris's neighbor.
Does Chris use metaphors?
No, because he claims metaphors don't establish a clear, distinguishable line between two objects. Instead, they suggest that one is the other. Chris thinks this doesn't align with logic.
What do cars represent in Christopher's life?
They represent his clinical approach to life and his aptitude in motors and mechanical science.
What does Chris think of metaphors? What does this say about him?
Christopher firmly believes that metaphors are deceiving and confusing. This exemplifies his pragmatic personality and his desire for the cut-and-dry truth.
Where did Mr. Shears use to work?
At a local bank in Swindon
Why is Mrs. Alexander such an important character?
"...like hot metal poured into the broken bone." What type of figurative language is this? And what is it used to describe?
This is a simile. It is used to describe pain from Christopher's POV.
Are mathematical, astronomical, and scientific rules motifs in this book?
Yes, they are! They are repeated throughout the book and are the skeleton of Christopher's way of thinking.
What was his initial reaction to the letters?
He tries to rationalize what's happening, scrambling for logic. The sudden absence of logic seems to disorient him temporarily. He ends up vomiting, fainting, etc.
Why was Mr. Shears Christopher's prime suspect?
Because Mr. Shears has a rough relationship with Mrs. Shears, Wellington might have been a medium for possible revenge.
What type of cake does Mrs. Alexander offer Chris?
Battenberg, with marzipan icing around the edge.
What is Christopher finding comfort in a police cell an example of?
Situational irony; most would find such a predicament terrifying or overwhelming, but Chris seems to violate those expectations.
Anything Chris finds confusing, disgusting, or distasteful.
What number does Chris know all the prime numbers up to?
7,057
What type of books did Mr. Shears get Christopher?
He got Christopher some books he thought suited Chris's intellect, but they were far too simple for him.
Why does Mrs. Alexander exhibit maternal characteristics towards Christopher?
Because she claims that Chris reminds her of her grandson.
When Chris is knocked out by his father, he wakes up to have a relatively normal relationship with him. What is this an example of?
Situational irony: Typically, we would expect Christoper to wake up scared, frightened, or even angry at his father for acting irrationally. However, he wakes up normal. Ed reciprocates the behavior.
Can Mr. Shears be a motif? If so, what does he symbolize?
Yes, he can—deceit, manipulation, hindrance, etc.
How old does Chris tell the officer he is?
15 years 3 months and 2 days
What exactly does Mr. Shears say when he's drunk and lashing out?
What breed is Mrs. Alexander's dog, and what's the dog's name?
A daschund, and its name is Ivory.
When Chris hit the police officer, what plot element is it an example of? Why did he hit him?
This is an example of a climax. He hits him because the policeman touched him, and Chris dislikes that.
Is Toby a motif? If so, why?
Toby can be considered a motif to some extent. He represents something that most people dislike, but Christopher loves. Additionally, Toby symbolizes a clean, simple, and loyal relationship with Chris, which Chris can never find.