examples of indentity and belonging in the book

These are all quotes, which apply to the theme of Chris's identity and the changes he goes through as the story progresses;

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.

** What he knows and is as important as who he is.

Prime numbers are what is left when you have taken all the patterns away. I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them. (19.7)

*** How Chris sees life.

Mother used to say that it meant Christopher was a nice name because it was a story about being kind and helpful, but I do not want my name to mean a story about being kind and helpful. I want my name to mean me. (29.10)

*****Chris doesn't understand multiple meanings; he wants a concrete meaning that only pertains to himself.

Then he said, "What's your name?"

And I said, "Christopher Boone."

And he said, "Where do you live?"

And I said, "36 Randolph Street" and I started feeling better because I like policemen and it was an easy question [...] (191.20)

These is factual information. Chris likes the policeman because he asks questions that have a concrete answer. This is where Chris lives; it is his identity.