Podcast
Questions and Answers
How does Dave's relationship with his mother change?
How does Dave's relationship with his mother change?
From discipline to punishment.
How does Dave find out if he can come out of his room and play?
How does Dave find out if he can come out of his room and play?
His brothers have to ask his mother.
What does Dave's mother do while their father is away at work?
What does Dave's mother do while their father is away at work?
Lays on the couch and watches TV.
What form of punishment does Dave's mother use when she decides sitting in the corner is no longer effective?
What form of punishment does Dave's mother use when she decides sitting in the corner is no longer effective?
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What does Dave's mother make him and his brothers do for hours at a time?
What does Dave's mother make him and his brothers do for hours at a time?
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What happens to Dave when he forgets what his mother sent him to do?
What happens to Dave when he forgets what his mother sent him to do?
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Who becomes Dave's protector?
Who becomes Dave's protector?
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What do Dave's parents do from 3 p.m. until bedtime when his father is not working?
What do Dave's parents do from 3 p.m. until bedtime when his father is not working?
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Where does Dave's mother make him sleep on the night of the chair incident?
Where does Dave's mother make him sleep on the night of the chair incident?
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After the chair incident, what does Dave's mother tell the doctor and his father?
After the chair incident, what does Dave's mother tell the doctor and his father?
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How does Dave feel about school in chapter 3?
How does Dave feel about school in chapter 3?
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How does Dave do with his school work in chapter 3?
How does Dave do with his school work in chapter 3?
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When Dave gets home from school one day, what does his mother tell him?
When Dave gets home from school one day, what does his mother tell him?
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What new punishment does Dave's mother invent for him?
What new punishment does Dave's mother invent for him?
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Where does Dave go while the rest of the family goes camping?
Where does Dave go while the rest of the family goes camping?
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How does Dave feel when he is not allowed to go camping?
How does Dave feel when he is not allowed to go camping?
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What is Dave's punishment after the camping trip is over?
What is Dave's punishment after the camping trip is over?
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Who is Dave's best friend when he repeats first grade?
Who is Dave's best friend when he repeats first grade?
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What does Dave's father do when his mother decides that Santa will not be coming to Dave?
What does Dave's father do when his mother decides that Santa will not be coming to Dave?
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How does Dave's mother treat the kids that come up for cub scouts?
How does Dave's mother treat the kids that come up for cub scouts?
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Why does Dave's mother burn his arm on the gas stove?
Why does Dave's mother burn his arm on the gas stove?
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How does Dave save himself from being forced to lie across the stove?
How does Dave save himself from being forced to lie across the stove?
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What does Dave decide to do when he realizes that he finally beat his mother?
What does Dave decide to do when he realizes that he finally beat his mother?
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What does Dave say when people at school ask him the cause of his bruises?
What does Dave say when people at school ask him the cause of his bruises?
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Once school starts again, what is Dave's mother feeding him?
Once school starts again, what is Dave's mother feeding him?
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What does Dave fantasize about as he lays in bed?
What does Dave fantasize about as he lays in bed?
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How does Dave manage to steal food from his classmates?
How does Dave manage to steal food from his classmates?
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What is Dave's mother's reaction when she finds out he has been stealing food from school?
What is Dave's mother's reaction when she finds out he has been stealing food from school?
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How does Dave's mother refer to him?
How does Dave's mother refer to him?
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Where does Dave go when he finishes his chores after school?
Where does Dave go when he finishes his chores after school?
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What is Dave's father's reaction to Dave's punishments?
What is Dave's father's reaction to Dave's punishments?
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What are most of Dave's parents' arguments about?
What are most of Dave's parents' arguments about?
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What does Dave's father eventually do when he keeps losing the arguments with his wife?
What does Dave's father eventually do when he keeps losing the arguments with his wife?
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What does Dave's teacher, Miss Moses, begin to question him about?
What does Dave's teacher, Miss Moses, begin to question him about?
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What was Dave's mother's reaction when he gets a call from the school regarding Dave's condition?
What was Dave's mother's reaction when he gets a call from the school regarding Dave's condition?
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What does Dave's mother tell the principal?
What does Dave's mother tell the principal?
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Study Notes
Relationship Dynamics
- Dave's relationship with his mother shifts from discipline to severe punishment.
- His father becomes a protector in contrast to his mother's abusive behavior.
Family Life and Punishments
- While their father is at work, Dave's mother remains inactive, laying on the couch and watching TV.
- The mirror treatment is introduced by Dave's mother when traditional punishments no longer seem effective.
Daily Life and School
- Dave finds solace in school, referring to it as his safe haven, and performs well academically with "happy faces."
- His mother communicates harsh critiques, telling him he is being held back due to being a "bad boy."
Isolation from Family Activities
- Dave is excluded from family camping trips, spending that time at his Aunt Josie's, leading to feelings of being an outcast.
- A new punishment restricts Dave's speech to only when spoken to, reinforcing his isolation.
Support System and Friendships
- Dave's best friend after repeating first grade is Stan, providing some emotional support.
- His father occasionally shows compassion, such as gifting Dave painting kits when his mother deprives him of Santa Claus.
Extreme Punishments
- Dave experiences extreme punishments, including being burned on the gas stove for minor misbehavior.
- He learns to stall for time to avoid further punishment, employing psychological strategies against his mother's violence.
Coping Mechanisms
- Dave fantasizes about food, specifically a cheeseburger, as he endures hunger and neglect at home.
- He resorts to stealing food from classmates by rummaging through their lunch boxes early at school.
Consequences of Actions
- Discovering his theft results in increased beatings and further deprivation of food during weekends.
- Dave's mother derogatorily calls him "the boy," dehumanizing him further.
Parental Conflicts
- Dave's parents frequently argue about him, showcasing the tension within the household dynamics.
- His father, initially against the punishments, eventually becomes desensitized and withdraws emotionally.
Teacher's Concern
- Miss Moses, Dave's teacher, notices his bruises and inattentiveness, prompting her to inquire about his home situation.
- Dave's mother responds with violence and denial when confronted by the school regarding her son's condition.
Overall Environment
- The environment at home is marked by neglect, punishment, and psychological manipulation, severely impacting Dave's development and mental health.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on chapters 3 and 4 of 'A Child Called It' through these flashcards. Explore the dynamics of Dave's relationship with his mother and other key events in the narrative. Perfect for reviewing key concepts and details.
