Effects of Pressure

Synthesis Essay
Theme statement: "We tend to sabotage the very thing we care most about"
Thesis statement: Both of Christopher's parents loved Christopher, however their own thoughts and ideas poisoned their relationship with their son, only pushing him away and sabotaging his chances for a better future.

               Relationships have always been a difficult topic to fully grasp, because of the complexity of human behaviour. That being said, it is also difficult to predict what people do under pressure, harder yet to discuss if their actions were justified. In the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, the main character's parents feel a heavy amount of pressure. Although both accomplish terrible deeds, there is in no doubt that they love Christopher. However, they potentially damage their son's future in the process and put their own feelings and pressure before Chris. By all means, despite how stress induced they are, what they did was not justified.

           The effects on a parent, to not be able to hug or even barely touch their own child at all builds pressure. Pressure to take care of Chris better and the guilt of not doing so would be incredibly heavy to carry, especially when they love him dearly. Both of Christopher's parents felt the same pressure, and both of them reacted  differently. To cope with the pressure, the stress, and the guilt, both of them pushed it away, running from responsibilities.

           Christopher's mother, specifically, literally runs away from the main source of stress in her life. Learning how to deal with her son, including the pressure that comes with it, and the arguments that arise with her spouse; she retreats away from everything. Despite doing this, she still loves Christopher. She writes him letters, telling him about her new life without him. Her affair with Mr. Shears was the perfect excuse to leave, furthermore, her absence aided her reasoning  that Christopher's life would be better of without her son. When reunited with Christopher, she is delighted to see him again. However, over time she quickly behaves the same way as before; impatient and brash. Although taking care of a child with autism is challenging, you need patience, which is something Judy does not have.

            Christopher's father, throughout the book, was portrayed as a patient parent; at least compared to his wife. If he was truly patient and understanding towards his son, he should have had no problem with telling his son where his mother went. At some times, adults think as if they should not burden their children, but in this case, he used that reasoning as justification to withhold information from him. He does not want Chris to blame him for his mothers absence like how he blames himself. He tells Christopher "We all make mistakes Christopher. You, me, your mom and everyone. Sometimes they're very big mistakes. We're only human." Granted, the pressure and stress would break anyone; but that does not mean he should be forgiven.

              The pressure that broke Christopher's parents only put more pressure on Chris, pressure from his parents that potentially affected his future when he took his Grade A maths test.