What advice and comments would you give a student for the following level 1 english ncea essay? The question was Describe an important idea conveyed in the text. Explain how this idea was conveyed.
In the novel “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon the impact of lying to a child is a poignant idea on a deep emotional level that has been created to make it unforgettable. Through the journey of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with Aspergers, Haddon explores how the act of deception can shatter the trust between parents and their children, the dilemmas parents face between the truth and trying to protect their children as well as how it’s important for reconciliation by acknowledging the mistakes made in the past and rebuilding trust 
Christopher is a boy who has aspergers which is a condition that makes him have difficulties in social interactions and nonverbal communication like figurative language,and struggles with understanding and inferring the thoughts, feelings and intentions of others.  This is why he is characterised as an individual whose preference for absolute honesty, combined with his dislike of metaphorical language, makes him especially susceptible to deceit. His father, Ed, told Christopher that his mother died in hospital from a heart attack, when, in reality, she is alive and living in London. When Christopher finds his mother’s letters, he doesn’t understand why they are dated after his mother's death. But then he realises that his mother had never died. The discovery overwhelms him, which causes him to pass out. Later his father comes clean about his mother being alive.  Later when Christopher reflects on his father’s lie “This was a very nasty lie because it was pretending that someone had died, which is something that only really happened to other people." This quote illustrates Christopher’s perspective on the severity of the lie that shattered his trust in his father. Christopher perceives death as an event that typically occurs to others, not to himself or his immediate family. In this context, Christopher is referring to the lie his father told him about his mother's death, stating that the lie was particularly hurtful and deceitful because it involved pretending that someone (his mother) had died. The author’s purpose uses Christopher’s reaction to his father’s lie to emphasise the deep emotional and psychological impact that deception can have on children particularly for those who also have aspergers like Christopher and have a hard time understanding and processing complex social and emotional situations. 
The impact of lying not only affected Christopher and his relationship between his father but also on the dilemmas faced by parents trying to protect their children. Ed's decision to lie to Christopher was made out of a desire to protect him from emotional pain, but it ultimately resulted in more significant emotional distress. This illustrates how even well-intentioned lies can have unintended consequences, and it raises questions about the role of honesty in maintaining healthy family relationships.
Christopher's father Ed, in an attempt to justify his actions, confesses, "I never meant to lie. But sometimes people have to be lied to because they can't handle the truth." This quote underscores the complexity of the situation and how Ed thought Christopher would not be able to handle the truth about his mother leaving them as she was unable to cope with the challenges of raising a child with asperger. However, Christopher was more than capable as he wasn't sad about his mother leaving them but how his father had lied to him which drove him to travel to London without his father's assistance to find his mother.
In the real world, parents often grapple with the challenge of balancing honesty and protection, as it's common for parents to try to always keep their child safe from psychological harm. This would help stop their kids worrying about something or provide a way to shield the child from difficult and unpleasant truths. By reflecting on this, the author hopes to shed light on the dilemma faced by parents when attempting to protect their children from harsh realities. The author suggests that parents should consider being honest with their children, while still providing them with the comfort and support they need. Honesty and trust between parent and child are essential components of a healthy relationship and should be nurtured.
In the end of the novel, Christopher and Ed both realise the consequences of their actions, and this struggle serves as a catalyst for change. It becomes evident that healing the rift in their relationship requires confronting the truth, painful as it may be as later in the novel, Ed acknowledges his own mistakes in dealing with Christopher. He actively works on being a better father by repairing their relationship. This narrative bridge demonstrates the importance of honesty as a means of repairing damaged bonds and rebuilding trust. Christopher's determination to uncover the truth and his understanding that honesty is essential for reconciliation are evident when he says, "I want my family to be like it was. But you can't make things like they used to be. Because all kinds of things have happened since then." This reflects Christopher's longing for his family to return to a previous state of normalcy. However, he understands that this is impossible due to the significant changes and revelations that have occurred throughout the story. It highlights Christopher's growing awareness of the complexity of family relationships and his acceptance of the inevitable of change. As a result, Christopher's quest for truth and forgiveness ultimately contributes to an overall sense of healing and reconnection within his family. In the real world, the process of reconciliation often involves acknowledging past mistakes and making efforts to rebuild trust through open communication and honesty. Haddon's narrative highlights the potential for redemption and healing when honesty prevails. Ultimately, Christopher's family is able to find closure and move forward together, learning to accept one another's mistakes and forgiving one another. This serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of hardship, there is hope for healing and reconciliation.
In "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," Mark Haddon portrays the profound and lasting impact of lying to a child. Through Christopher's unique perspective and his reactions to his father's deception, the novel provides a poignant exploration of the vulnerability of children like Christopher, who rely on truth and transparency to navigate the world. The consequences of deceit are far-reaching, affecting not only the immediate parent-child relationship but also the dilemmas faced by parents trying to protect their children from harsh or unpleasant truths. Ultimately, the author reminds us of the power of truth and the potential for redemption when honesty prevails. By emphasising the themes of honesty and redemption, the unforgettable idea the author created encourages us to reflect on our own experiences and consider the implications of dishonesty. Ultimately, his message serves as a reminder of the power that truth has in our lives.