Describe how David survives his punishments, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Chapter 5

In Chapter Five, Dave becomes his own Superman. He learns to rely on himself and only himself. He no longer harbors any hope that his father will ever stick up for him and save him. Dave has accepted that he himself is his only hope, and as a result, he has gained confidence in his ability to survive and fight off his mother's abuse on his own. Dave has matured immensely over the course of the memoir, despite the horrible circumstances that have forced him to do so.