Lack of Causality in "A Child Called It"

Paper Summary:

The author of the paper argues that David Pelzer's autobiographical account of his abusive childhood in "A Child Called It" is shocking, horrific and, at times, unbelievable. The paper explains the book's lack of causal connection and absence of future retributive consequences to David's tormentors created an impression of a book with no method or message.

From the Paper:

"For me, actions that happen in a vacuum have no reality. People who exist outside the realm of cause and effect are not really people, and their erratic actions should not instill a fear that they can strike anyone at any time. No. But there is something even more dangerous about pushing cause and effect to the wayside. If we think of David's God as representing hope, he has killed his god in one deft swipe. Think about it: without the notion of evil having a cause, there is no way to figure out how to change it; without a possibility for change, hope flies out the window; and in the absence of hope, God is dead. Metaphorically speaking anyway."

More papers on Lack of Causality in "A Child Called It":

• Book Review # 109629 : "A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive"
• Analytical Essay # 67560 : "A Child Called It"
• Book Review # 118444 : "A Child Called "It"

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