A Child Called It is a shockingly lamentable true story of the author David Pelzer’s life. Like any other nonfiction text, the novel had numerous themes, simply because it is an account of true life; life itself is an amalgamate of issues which author’s exploit to create stories. A Child Called It consists of six themes: Self-Determination-reliance, Conformity, The struggle to fit in, Holding secrets, Quest for freedom, and Ambition/Honor. As a young boy, David Pelzer was determined to survive and eventually escape from his unstable mother’s clutches. While enduring his mother’s torment, David constantly wanted to be like others- other children, other families, his other siblings (who weren’t given the type of “special treatment” by their mother as he was) - and hence struggled to fit in as best he could. The book also deals with the theme of Appearance vs. Reality: David and his family kept the abuse he received a secret (as best they could) from the rest of the world, thus creating two identities for the family. The average loving one that they showed others and then the true horrendous one they experienced every day with one another. His desire to be free of his mother is what allowed David to last until he was saved by the authorities.
How/Why do you think the themes in the book will inspire others?
Coinciding with the first question, do you think the fact that the story is true(nonfiction) will effect reader more than if it wasn't?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
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The fact that the story is true alerts the reader of the reality of child abuse and prompts the reader to think "can a child be going through this exact thing right now?" It also causes readers to be more aware of the signs of child abuse and possibly prevent a case like Dave's
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