Wellington

Wellington is the poodle belonging to Mrs Shears. The dog is found dead, with a garden fork protruding from its body, at the beginning of the novel and this incident spurs Christopher Boone, a neighbouring boy with autism, to investigate the death. The dog was killed by Christopher’s father as part of an ongoing feud between two families and the distrust that resulted. The investigation by Christopher initiates a chain of events that will change his life.

Wellington Quote

As Father explains why he murdered Wellington, he says, ‘I think she cared more for that bloody dog than for me, for us. And maybe that’s not so stupid, looking back. Maybe we are a bloody handful…I mean, shit, buddy, we’re not exactly low-maintenance, are we?’ Chapter 167

Christopher Boone

The narrator of this novel is Christopher John Francis Boone, a fifteen year old boy from Swindon. He is special and, although his condition is not specifically given a name in the novel, it is generally accepted that he is on the autism spectrum. This gifts Christopher with an ability to understand mathematics and science at a level well beyond his age, and grants him logic, deduction and an impeccable memory. However, it also causes him certain social issues. Christopher often lashes out, even punching people if he is touched or grabbed, and he misses social cues, walking away when someone is expecting him to wait, and saying things that would normally be considered socially awkward. His interactions with other characters show that Christopher can find people very difficult to understand; when the police officer asks him lots of questions, he responds by groaning and pressing his head in the ground; when the officer grabs him, he becomes violent. Christopher is aware of his issue and writes about in his journal.

One prominent flaw in Christopher’s social interaction is his inability to understand the thoughts and feelings of other people, a common feature in autism-related disorders. This incapacity to empathise and imagine what another person is thinking is seen in his inability to recognise when a person is joking or speaking sarcastically. Christopher receives assistance from his teacher, Siobhan, in the form of a chart which helps him determine a person’s mood according to their facial expression.

Christopher is intrigued by mathematics and science, integrating complex mathematical problems and astronomical knowledge into his detective’s memoir. His understanding of the world can at times seem simple but in this simplicity there is a goodness. He has an inability to lie which comes from the consideration that if a different scenario is introduced to the one that already exists you open up the door for an infinite amount of fictitious scenarios, and that is too much for Christopher to handle.

Christopher’s coming of age in this novel is sparked by a misunderstanding that his father may want to harm him. He runs away to London and in this journey he discovers his own resilience and bravery. Christopher is able to achieve his goals and learns that he is capable of more than he ever thought possible. Aware that he will not become an astronaut, despite this being his childhood dream, he is single-minded in wanting to complete his mathematics level A exams, showing he has a clear understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. Christopher shows a growing desire for independence throughout the novel and develops the confidence to assert himself; he begins to imagine the future, plans to go to college, and to live on his own.

Christopher Boone Quotes

My name is Christopher John Francis Boone. I know all the countries of the world and their capital cities and every prime number up to 7,507. Chapter 3

I do not like people shouting at me. It makes me scared that they are going to hit me or touch me and I do not know what is going to happen. Chapter 5

This will not be a funny book. I cannot tell jokes because I do not understand them. Chapter 13

I do not tell lies. Mother used to say that this was because I was a good person. But it is not because I am a good person. It is because I can’t tell lies. Chapter 37

These are some of my Behavioural Problems
A. Not talking to people for a long time …
K. Not noticing that people are angry with me. Chapter 73

And I know I can do this because I went to London on my own, and because I solved the mystery of Who Killed Wellington? And I found my mother and I was brave and I wrote a book and that means I can do anything. (Christopher Boone) Chapter 233

Ed Boone (Christopher’s Father)

Ed Boone is a plumber who performs heating maintenance and boiler repairs and is a typical working class man. He is tasked with the difficult challenge of raising Christopher without his wife who leaves the pair to live with another man. He is patient with Christopher and seems in tune with the boy’s special needs. They have a good understanding and Ed has taken the time to find out the things that interest Christopher; he knows to let Christopher know when certain nature shows are on television and knows how to interact with Christopher physically, using a finger touch in place of a hug.

Christopher’s father is protective of Christopher and this eventually leads to problems in the relationship. The protectiveness is admirable when he attends the police station to get Christopher and he takes control of the situation, when he is concerned and goes to great effort to find Christopher after he runs away from home, and in his determination to help Christopher take the maths A level exam, which Christopher is anxious to complete. However Ed’s behaviour in deciding to tell Christopher that his mother had died after she left home is questionable, despite wanting to spare the mental anguish that the truth may have caused. Christopher’s father is also presented in a poor light when it is revealed that he has killed Mrs Shears’ dog.

Although Ed and Christopher have a fight, it is noteworthy to remember that Ed is not essentially portrayed as a bad person. Although his use of violence cannot be condoned, his momentary loss of control may be attributed to the accumulated stress he has experienced after having suffered the loss of his wife who left him for the neighbour, his unsuccessful relationships with both his wife and Mrs Shears, and having to care for Christopher alone. On top of this, there is a lot of pressure on him to be the financial provider, all while working a tough job as a plumber.

After their fight, Ed buys Christopher a puppy as a peace offering, representing how much he understands and loves his complicated and frustrating son, suggesting that a reconciliation may be possible.

Ed Boone Quotes

Sometimes Father would say, ‘Christopher, if you do not behave I swear I shall knock the living daylights out of you,’ or Mother would say, ‘Jesus, Christopher, I am seriously considering putting you into a home,’ or Mother would say, ‘You are going to drive me into an early grave.’ Chapter 73

Father had never grabbed hold of me like that before. Mother had hit me sometimes because she was a very hot-tempered person, …. But Father was a more levelheaded person, .. he didn’t get angry as quickly and he didn’t shout as often. So I was very surprised when he grabbed me. Chapter 127

Then he said, ‘I did it for your good, Christopher. Honestly I did. I never meant to lie.’ Chapter 157

OK, maybe I don’t tell the truth all the time. God knows, I try, Christopher, God knows I do, but… Life is difficult, you know. It’s bloody hard telling the truth all the time. Sometimes it’s impossible. And I want to know that I’m trying, I really am. Chapter 167

Judy Boone (Christopher’s mother)

Although, like Christopher, the reader believes Judy Boone has died of a heart condition, the truth is revealed during the course of the investigation into the dead dog, that she is in fact alive. Christopher’s mother, Judy, left the family to take up residence with Roger Shears, a neighbour. She admits that she did this because she felt she was unable to control her frustration with Christopher, becoming enraged by his repetitive and frustrating quirks. When it became know that she was having an affair with Roger, Roger left for London and she decided to go with him, believing that Christopher would be better off without her.

Despite her absence, Christopher’s mother constantly writes to Christopher telling him about her daily life, but the correspondences are hidden from Christopher by his father. When Christopher finds the letters he includes them in his narrative, giving his mother a voice in the first person. They show a caring woman who is both a dreamer and acutely self-aware. She admits she could not cope with Christopher, as evidenced by her frustration and temper outburst after Christopher’s tantrum in a department store, and discusses her depression and free nature and their incompatibility with Christopher’s inflexible needs.

When Christopher arrives in London we see a different side to Judy. She immediately takes up his cause, even leaving Roger, who sees no place for Christopher in their life. She returns to Swindon and resumes her place as Christopher’s mother. This time she seems more balanced and willing to work through the issues.

Judy Boone Quotes

Mother died 2 years ago. Chapter 43

Sometimes Father would say, ‘Christopher, if you do not behave I swear I shall knock the living daylights out of you,’ or Mother would say, ‘Jesus, Christopher, I am seriously considering putting you into a home,’ or Mother would say, ‘You are going to drive me into an early grave.’ Chapter 73

Then I stopped reading the letter because I felt sick. Mother had not had a heart attack. Mother had not died. Mother had been alive all the time. And Father had lied about this. (Christopher Boone) Chapter 157

And I think that was when I realized you and your father were probably better off if I wasn’t living in the house. Then he would only have one person to look after instead of two. (Mrs Boone in a letter) Chapter 157

And then, after a while, she said, ‘Christopher, let me hold your hand. Just for once. Just for me. Will you? I won’t hold it hard,’ and she held out her hand.
And I said, ‘I don’t like people holding my hand.’ (Christopher and his mother) Chapter 227

Siobhan

A kind and compassionate teacher, Siobhan seems to understand Christopher better than most. She helps him to develop coping skills and manages his daily idiosyncrasies. She is responsible for drawing faces to help Christopher understand facial expressions and guides him in how to behave towards the other students. She is also responsible for Christopher starting the writing project that becomes the narrative the reader experiences. She talks to Christopher about his problems, and reads the note book in which Christopher records his investigation and writes his stories. Siobhan is very encouraging and gives Christopher advice, which he follows.

Christopher appreciates the detailed instructions that Siobhan provides him which help him understand ambiguous instructions lacking in detail, like ‘keep off the grass’. Christopher has known Siobhan for eight years and behaves better with her than he does with most other characters. Siobhan does not appear to be frustrated by Christopher’s needs or behaviours, presumably because she is trained to care for children with special needs. By comparison, Christopher’s parents’ frustration with him would suggest a gap in professional training rather than in their attitude.

Siobhan Quotes

Mrs Forbes said that hating yellow and brown is just being silly. And Siobhan said that she shouldn’t say things like that and everyone has favourite colours. And Siobhan was right. But Mrs Forbes was a bit right, too. Chapter 131

Siobhan understands. When she tells me not to do something she tells me exactly what it is that I am not allowed to do. And I like this. Chapter 59

Mrs Eileen Shears

Several years before Wellington the dog is found dead, Mrs Shears’ husband, Roger Shears, leaves her for Christopher’s mother. When the affair becomes known, the two leave for London. Mrs Shears starts visiting Ed and Christopher and cooks for them, occasionally spending the night. When Christopher’s father admits to killing Wellington he explains that he did so out of anger, wrongly thinking that the relationship would develop and that perhaps he and Mrs Shears would be more than just friends.

A furious Mrs Shears appears at the very start of the novel and accuses Christopher of killing the dog. She calls the police and is unhelpful when they arrive in alerting them to Christopher’s autism.

Mrs Eileen Shears Quotes

And Father was sitting down and she stood next to him and held his head against her bosoms and said, ‘Come on, Ed. We’re going to get you through this.’ (Mrs Shears) Chapter 53

And sometimes Mrs Shears stayed overnight at our house and I liked it when she did because she made things tidy and she arranged the jars and pans and tins in order of their height on the shelves in the kitchen and she always made their labels face outwards and she put the knives and forks and spoons in the correct compartments in the cutlery drawer. Chapter 67

I could see that Father was angry with me, so I said, ‘I know you told me not to get involved in other people’s business but Mrs. Shears is a friend of ours.’
And Father said, ‘Well, she’s not a friend anymore.’ Chapter 79

Mr Roger Shears

Roger Shears lives in London after moving there with Christopher’s mother with whom he is having an affair. He becomes the prime suspect in Christopher’s investigation of how Wellington the dog died. He is the only person Christopher can think of that might not like Mrs Shears, given they were separated. When Christopher arrives in London, fearful for his life, Roger is displeased. He argues with Judy Boone, stating there is no room for Christopher and that he does not want to have to deal with the difficulties he brings. Christopher’s mother takes Roger’s car and returns with Christopher to Swindon. Roger appears later in a taxi, furious, and throws a box of Judy Boone’s belongings onto the lawn then drives off in his car.

Roger Shears Quotes

And she said, ‘Christopher, not now. I’m getting phone calls from your father threatening to take me to court. I’m getting it in the neck from Roger. It’s not a good time.’ Chapter 233

But I started seeing Roger on his own because I could talk to him. He was the only person I could really talk to. And when I was with him I didn’t feel lonely anymore. Chapter 157

Mrs Alexander

A peripheral character, Mrs Alexander lives near the Boone house. She is a kindhearted woman who seems keen to get to know Christopher and become friends. However, she is also a gossip and plays the part of a foil, that is, a character who contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist, to highlight the qualities of the other character. In doing this, Mrs Alexander shows us the simple but honest way Christopher thinks. When interviewed in regard to the dead dog, she also serves to move the plot by disclosing to Christopher the backstory of his mother and Roger Shears’ affair.

Mrs Alexander Quotes

I didn’t reply to this either because Mrs. Alexander was doing what is called chatting where people say things to each other which aren’t questions and answers and aren’t connected. Chapter 67

So because it was a Super Good Day I decided to walk into the park with Mrs. Alexander even though it scared me. Chapter 97

And she said, ‘No, Christopher. I’m not sure that you do. I mean that they were very good friends. Very, very good friends.’ (Mrs Alexander to Christopher) Chapter 97