Literary Analysis 1a

GENERAL:
1) Plot sum: The third eldest child of the Pelzer family, David grows up in Daly City, California, a town not too far from San Francisco.  David describes his life in the beginning as picture perfect.  A loving Mom, Dad, and brothers.  Without warning, David's mother starts to horribly abuse and torture David; starving him to death to the point where he steals other kids' lunch just to survive.  His "hero", Davids dad, sneaks him food every now and then, but can't stand the house hold he lives in so he leaves the family.  Being saved from the help of his school teachers and nurses, David is finally set free from the place he had once called "home."
2) Theme: the main theme of this book is how anyone can overcome anything if you have enough faith
3)Tone: the tone David ended up inquiring overtime was extreme hatred towards everyone around him, especially his mother.
4) Conflict: David finding food to save his life
    Antagonist: David's mom, Catherine
    Allusion: David's memories of the good times with his family down by the Russian river
   Symbol: David's dad his "hero"
    Foreshadowing: David's would predict how his mother would torture him
CHARACTERIZATION:
1) Teachers and kids saw him as skinny and smelly.
2) David says he hated going home, and that he was miserable
1a) The teacher would cover her mouth and nose when David came near her.  -indicating that David smelt
2a) David would say how he would imagine himself eating a big hamburger when his stomach growled. -indicating that he was hungry
: The author uses both direct and indirect characterization because it makes the book come to life and make you feel everything that he felt.
2) Dave Pelzer's uses diction.  When talking about his mom, he uses words like "bitch" showing his hatred towards her.
3) David is dynamic in a sense that he gets stronger and stronger throughout the book.  He is also a round character, being that he is real
4) After reading this book I came away feeling so great full for the family that I have.  I have a lot more faith and want to help children like David when I'm older.


A CHILD CALLED IT