The Child Called It is a memoir written by Dave Pelzer about his experiences growing up as a child in California during the 1960s and 1970s. The book chronicles Pelzer's abuse at the hands of his mother, who he refers to as "the Mother" throughout the book. Pelzer's father, "the Father," is also present in the book, but plays a less significant role in the story.
The Mother is the main antagonist in the book. She is abusive, neglectful, and manipulative, and subjects Pelzer to extreme physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. Pelzer describes her as being constantly angry and having a volatile temper, and she often hits him, starves him, and forces him to sleep in the garage or basement. The Mother also subjects Pelzer to cruel and degrading punishments, such as making him wear a girl's dress and standing in the corner for hours on end.
The Father is a more complex character in the book. He is depicted as being somewhat helpless and unable to protect his son from the Mother's abuse. He is also shown to be emotionally distant and detached from his family, and he often goes along with the Mother's abuse of Pelzer. Despite this, the Father is not depicted as being abusive himself, and Pelzer describes him as being a kind and loving father when he is able to show affection.
Other characters in the book include Pelzer's older brothers, who are also subjected to abuse from the Mother, and Pelzer's teachers and social workers, who eventually intervene and help to rescue him from the abuse. Pelzer also describes his relationships with other children at school and in his neighborhood, and how he copes with the abuse he faces at home.
Overall, The Child Called It is a powerful and poignant story about the impact of child abuse and the strength of the human spirit to survive and overcome adversity. The characters in the book, particularly the Mother and the Father, serve to illustrate the devastating effects of abuse on both the victim and the perpetrator, and the importance of seeking help and finding support in times of crisis.