Archive: A Child Called "It"

A Child Called "It" is an autobiograpy written by David Pelzer. It is about his childhood and all of the harsh times he went through as a young boy. This novel was written in 1995, and took place in both Daly City, California and Chinatown, San Francisco. The main characters are David Pelzer, Catherine Roerva Pelzer, and Stephan Joseph Pelzer.

Plot Summary
Detailing a childhood of not only severe abuse by his mother, but apparent apathy to his plight by his father, A Child Called 'It' describes one of the worst, documented cases of child abuse in California history. It tells the story of David Pelzer who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

Taymitch13 21:50, 9 November 2011 (MST)

Characters

 * David Pelzer
 * The main character and narrator. David suffers severe child abuse from his mother, Catherine.
 * Catherine Roerva Pelzer
 * Mother of David, who abuses her own son.
 * Stephan Joseph Pelzer
 * Father of David, he is considered David's "hero" and "protector".

Taymitch13 21:59, 9 November 2011 (MST)

Themes
survives the abuse.
 * Ability of the Human Spirit to Overcome Remarkable Odds
 * "Mother" progressively treats David worse, yet he becomes stronger despite an escalating sense of isolation and he

Taymitch13 22:01, 9 November 2011 (MST)

Children are a gift from God. Not something to abuse.

Significant Quotes
"You are a nobody! An It! You are nonexistant! You are a bastard child! I hate you and i wish you were dead! Dead! do you hear me? Dead!"

“I never felt as safe and as warm as that moment in time, at the Russian River.”

“Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.”