RESILIENCE IN DAVE PELZER’S A CHILD CALLED “IT” (1995) AND THE LOST BOY (1997): A PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study focuses on the representation of resilience in the autobiographical novels A Child Called “It” (1995) and The Lost Boy (1997), which portray the protagonist’s experiences of prolonged physical and emotional abuse. Although the narratives are based on real-life experiences, this study positions the protagonist as a literary character, clearly distinguishing between the author and the subject of analysis. Using a literary psychology approach and Carl Jung’s theory of shadow and individuation, this qualitative study analyzes narrative elements through close reading. The findings reveal that traumatic experiences significantly contribute to the formation of the shadow, manifested through dominant emotions such as shame, guilt, inferiority, anger, and self-loathing. These repressed emotions shape the protagonist’s internal conflict and influence the construction of self-perception. At the same time, resilience emerges as a gradual psychological response, initially reflected in survival strategies, emotional control, and a strong determination to endure suffering. Furthermore, in The Lost Boy, resilience develops into a more advanced stage, characterized by increasing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the integration of past experiences. This process reflects individuation, in which unconscious elements are gradually integrated into a more cohesive and balanced identity.