What does Swiss cheese mean from a child called it?

In the book "A Child Called 'It'," the phrase "Swiss cheese" is used as a metaphor to describe the narrator's fragmented and broken sense of self.

Here's why:

* Swiss cheese has holes. Just like Swiss cheese, the narrator's personality and identity were full of holes, created by the severe abuse he suffered. These holes represent the missing pieces of his self-worth, his sense of safety, and his ability to trust.

* Swiss cheese is still cheese. Even though it has holes, Swiss cheese is still a type of cheese. Similarly, the narrator, despite the trauma and abuse, was still a person with inherent worth and potential.

* Swiss cheese can be eaten. The metaphor suggests that despite the holes, the narrator was still capable of surviving and even finding some joy in life. The holes, though painful, did not entirely destroy him.

The phrase "Swiss cheese" is a powerful and evocative image that captures the profound impact of the abuse on the narrator's mental and emotional development. It helps us understand the lasting damage that can be caused by childhood trauma and the resilience it takes to heal and rebuild.