David Pelzer
Superman
True or False: David overcomes his abusive mother with the support of his brothers.
False
True or False:
The Mother is abusive to all of her children, except baby Kevin.
False
True or False:
Some of David’s injuries from his mother include dislocating his arm, being burned on the stove, and being stabbed with a kitchen knife.
True
What is David’s early childhood like?
Idyllic-mother is loving, everyone gets along, a happy family
What does David do at school to make the other kids not like him and ostracize him?
Steals food from their lunches
At the end of the novel, what is the relationship status of David’s parents?
They separate
What is one possible reason that the Mother abuses and tortures David?
She experienced some trauma in her own life/childhood growing up
What “accident” occurs that leaves David to take care of himself, even though he probably needed medical attention?
His mother stabs him with kitchen knife
Strong, smart, clever, witty, resilient, weak, brave, hopeless, survivor, forgiving independent, rebellious
Eat a dirty diaper
During the epilogue, David describes his life after experiencing an abusive childhood by moving on to becoming a successful adult. What character trait does this show?
Resilient, brave, strong
True or False:
David overcomes his abusive childhood to become a successful adult. He even joins the army.
False
Makes David think that he hurt/damaged the baby
Abusive, manipulative, phony, alcoholic, cowardly, selfish, controlling
Love, attention, respect, dignity
True
To trick the social worker into thinking there isn’t any abuse
Guilt, responsibility, faith, hope, defeat, hate, trauma, cycle/pattern, breaking the cycle, innocence/loss of innocence, abandonment, lonely, low self-esteem/self-worth, affection, love, dignity, respect, humanity, dehumanization, escape, manipulation, consequences, survival, excuses, blame, negligence, grit, family dynamics
Loving to abusive
As a slave
He is hopeless, faithless, defeated
Loving, connected, happy
True or False
David’s father helps him by sticking up for him/challenging the Mother when she beats him.
False