A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive

These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the Autobiography/Memoir.

Post-Reading Analysis

1. Overcoming difficult situations and finding the inner strength to carry on can be challenging for victims of abuse and trauma. Consider the moments in Pelzer’s account when a concerned authority figure approached him about his appearance or mannerisms. In those moments, why do you think Pelzer did not speak out against his mother?

Teaching Suggestion: This analysis can be used as either a short answer prompt or a class discussion to talk about the effects of abuse. Encourage students to link the question and the articles below within the context of Control. This post-reading analysis may be linked with the second short answer question on the availability of resources in the mid-20th century for those experiencing abuse.

• This article from the National Domestic Violence Hotline highlights the main reasons people stay silent about abuse.
• This article on violence protection from the CDC shares information regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the United States.

2. Pelzer’s account of his experience as an abused child is harrowing, descriptive, and serious. At many points in the story, it is natural for the reader to feel emotionally attached to Pelzer, as well as frustrated with how the violence could happen for so long without anyone reporting it. Reflect on the signs of abuse that Pelzer exhibits in his account. What signs do others most notice? When does Dave’s mother become violent with him? How does this violence manifest physically, emotionally, and/or psychologically?

Teaching Suggestion: Using the links provided, have students match the signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect from the article below with the descriptions from Pelzer’s account. Encourage students to find not only the most obvious signs, but also the changes in his behavior and mindset throughout the account. Furthermore, the link below regarding alcoholism corresponds with the sources for the second Short Answer question on The Ideal Family.

• This article from Stanford Medicine lists the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• This fact sheet from Alcohol Rehab Guide provides information regarding the relationship between alcoholism and domestic abuse.