Michael Standard: Post Two

Christopher's virtual inability to understand other humans' emotions can be helpful when making decisions for himself, so that his conclusion is not biased, but this has an undesirable side-effect. I feel sorry for him, because this means that when bad things happen to him, he doesn't think through the way others might react to his reactions. This is apparent when Chris learns that his mother is still alive, and his dad killed Wellington. He thinks "Father is dangerous. Father lied. I must escape." with no flexibility to the fact that his father just faulted once, because Chris knows no better.

Elshaddai, post 2

One specific point in the story where I felt sorry for Christopher is when he found out that his father had lied about his mother's death. I felt that was a very sad part because of two reasons. One, Christopher realizes that Mother, who was an important part in his life that was supposed to be dead, was in fact very much alive and trying to contact him. Another thing is that his dad, the most important person in his life, had lied to him. The fact that someone who he trusted so much lied about something that big makes me feel very much sorry for Christopher. I couldn't imagine having the same life again if that had happened to me.

Cory G post 2

The thing that makes me feel sorry for Christopher is his lack of social abilities. He expresses this in the story by saying he doesn’t like to be touched, he doesn’t like talking to strangers, and he doesn’t like being near too many strangers. I feel sorry for him because without social skills he won’t be able to meet new people. If he never develops social skills then he will have a very meager existence.
For some reason I don’t think he wants to develop social skills. He enjoys being left alone; the only company he enjoys is the company of his pet rat. He says he doesn’t like interacting with other people because they make too much noise which prohibits him from thinking, but this also might be because something bad happened to him in the past.

Rebecca Hanrahan, Comments 3 and 4

3. I agree with Neel’s post. Another specific time when I feel sorry for Christopher is at the train station. This incident proves how hard life is for autistic people. Simple tasks such as catching a train can become a disaster for Christopher, and other people with disabilities. I’m looking forward to researching autism when our class finishes reading this novel.

4. Many other posts have made me consider something that I hadn’t thought of before. Christopher’s social abilities are so basic, he doesn’t think about the reasons why the father killed Wellington. If Christopher’s mind wasn’t so set on the father being a mad murderer, he would realize that it was done it out of rage, and not just for the sake of killing.

Meghan Wetterhall Comments 3 and 4

Comment 3:
I agree with Rebecca. I think it is horrible that Christopher can't trust his father and he feels like he doesn't feel like he belongs in this world. Everyone should have somebody to talk to and trust to keep them safe. The one person Christopher thought he could trust has betrayed him. i don't think anyone should have to experience this kind of hurt.

Comment 4:
I also agree with Connor. I think that, although Christopher is a very smart and talented person, it’s going to be very difficult for him when he’s older. He will have a very difficult time doing common everyday tasks on his own. It will be especially difficult for him now, because he has lost the only person in this world he trusts and knows what is best for his well being.

Meghan Wetterhall post 2

As I read the story, I felt really sad that Christopher has a hard time facing reality. He seems to believe that there is a scientific explanation for everything. For example, when he finds the letters from his mother, instead of coming to the obvious conclusion that his mother left him and his father lied, he automatically believes that the letter is to someone else. Also, he doesn't appear to understand that his father really does love him and that people make mistakes. He believes that his father is dangerous and going to hurt him so he leaves to go live with his mother in London.

Josh Traynelis, Post 2

One specific point in the story that made me feel sorry for Christopher was when Christopher’s dad admitted to having killed Wellington. After hearing this Christopher goes and hides from his dad afraid that he will kill him just like he killed Wellington. It would have been very hard for me after trusting someone for so long and then, one day, finding out they had done something like this. Christopher was not able to fully understand the reasoning behind what his dad had done. Because of that, he feared his dad, the person who had loved and taken care of him all of his life. Christopher then decides to escape to London where his mom lives. On his journey, Christopher thinks that he can not trust anyone. In reality, he is running away from the one person who he can trust and who loves him the most.