The legal system can be disastrous and confusing at times, especially regarding minors. The book Monster by Walter Dean Myers discusses and tells the story of such topics. In the book, our main character Steve Harmon is on trial and being charged with felony murder. We’re led through the trial in a movie script writing which Steve writes this way because he has a passion for film. We can also see journal entries from his perspective where he talks about what it’s like to be in jail and his emotions about the situation. The court has both Steve and James King on trial and we the reader have to question ourselves based on evidence and hearings as to what the verdict should be for Steve Harmon. Steve Harmon should be found not guilty of felony murder. Throughout the book, Steve Harmon presents the reader with his personality and his moral values as a person, as seen through his actions and talking to …show more content…
In Lorelle Henry’s testimony she is asked, “PETROCELLI: Mrs. Henry, do you recognize anyone present today in this courtroom who was also in the drugstore on the day to which you are referring?” “HENRY: The gentleman sitting at that table was one of the men arguing. (She points to KING)” (Myers 164). This quote is very revealing because Lorelle Henry, who was supposedly in the drugstore at the beginning moments and before the robbery, says that she only recognizes one of the men at the stand which is James King. According to Bobo and what we’ve seen from Steve’s flashbacks he was supposed to be the lookout. This would mean that Lorelle Henry would’ve seen Steve in the store, and Steve seeing her. There was no mention of Steve throughout her entire testimony which leads to the possible conclusion that Steve was never there on that day, leading to him being not
On page 150 King says “I got a sure get over.” “You know that drugstore got burned out that time?” Later on, he asked Steve, "You down for it,?” This quote is important because it tells how Steve did attend the position of being lookout during the robbery. Steve was already the mastermind of how this was going to be.
As stated on multiple occasions in the story, the others convicted were proven to be at the convenience store the night the robbery took place. The only evidence provided would have to be the witnesses, who in retrospect were not reliable. “The State doesn't even suggest that he was in the store during the robbery.” “The state does contend that somewhere, sometime, Steve got together with someone and agreed to participate in this robbery.” These two quotes from the book are both to show how Steve could not be held to his whereabouts on the night of the murder.
Murderers are evil, and it is imperative that the criminal justice system works against them, but it is just as important for them to work honestly and fair. Walter Dean Myers titled his book Monster. The book is about a sixteen-year-old boy, Steve Harmon, who is on trial for felony murder. A monster is what they called him, evil and malignant.
Throughout Walter Dean Myers’ book Monster, the reader has been led through a series of confusion within Steve Harmon’s head. Steve Harmon—a never convicted 16 year old—has been put on trial along with James King for the murder of a man named Mr. Nesbitt. He went through a large deal of stress through the case due to feeling that he is innocent. Throughout the trials, this led to the questioning of himself many times. Although many people believe to know themselves, people are truly unaware of who they are.
Just because they are guilty doesn't mean they can't be a Monster. In the book Monster by Walter Dean Myers, Steve Harmon, a 16 year old, is on trial for felony murder. Based on the evidence given, Steve Harmon is not guilty as shown through testimonies, journals and flashbacks. During Steve's trial, Lorelle Henry, the librarian, testifies and proves Steve Harmons innocence. She testified that King was in Nesbitts Drug Store
(Myers 226). Steve is a monster because he said that was the only thing they talked about. In reality they talked about kicking someone's butt. That is lying to the jury. Steve was in the store but he lied to the jury about it and that makes him a
In the novel, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, 16- year- old Steve Harmon is placed on trial for felony murder. Steve tries to prove his innocence to the jury and he is found not guilty. Therefore, he is acquitted of any crime. However, Steve’s contradicting thoughts make the reader question his innocence.
What did I do? What did I do? Anybody can walk into a drugstore and look around. Is that what I’m on trial for? I didn’t do anything!”(Myers, 115).
Steve is fighting with himself to figure out whether he is a monster. In Monster, Myers examines his idea of a monster through a court case. Firstly, Steve is fighting himself to try and find who he truly is. Disappointing, devastating, discriminating, the boy fights for his rights in front of the jury.
In the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers the young main character Steve Harmen who grew up in Harlem, got caught with some bad people and is on trial for murder. Ms. O’Brien and Ms Petrocelli’s final statement during the trial of Steve Harmon and James King for the murder of Alguinanado Nesbitt, helped me come to the conclusion that Steve Harmen is innocent. I came to this conclusion because he never agreed to be the lookout, he never gave a signal, and never received any money. He was not with them at their chicken meet and greet after the robbery, The witness never saw Steve inside the store, Steve also said he was in there to buy mints. When he was on stand he then said he was never in the store.
Steve Harmons actions depicted his characteristics and we can, therefore, conclude that Steve Harmon is a liar as he lied under oath. Steve was also a guilt-ridden man ashamed of his actions. People who disagree may claim that Steve was undoubtedly innocent as Lorelle Henry, a witness, declared that there were only 2 people, proven to be James King and Bobo Evans, inside the store who eventually murdered Mr.Nesbitt. This may be a strong argument because it shows that Steve was not in the drugstore and could be really innocent. On the contrary, however, Steve’s job was just supposed to be a lookout and ensure that the drugstore was clear of cops or anyone inside.
His wording shows that he doesn’t know who he is and therefore believes he is a Monster as Ms. Petrocelli calls him. He accepts people’s judgments as his self-truth. Even though, he, himself, accepts the worst he still wants people to perceive him as a good person, especially his mom. Steve’s mom’s words cut deeper in him because his mom believes he didn’t do it while he knows he did. 5 days into the trial, his mother comes by and talks to him hoping to make him feel better, “I could still feel Mama’s pain.
According to deathpenaltyinfo.org “Black people are about 7 ½ times more likely to be wrongfully convicted of murder in the U.S. than are whites.” It also states how “Black people were overrepresented in every category of the 1,167 wrongful murder convictions in the Registry’s database.” The critical literacy novel Monster, by Walter Dean Myers takes place in The Manhattan Detention Center, when 16 year old Steve Harmon went on trial for convicted murder, after being spotted in the drugstore moments before the tragedy happened. “The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help.” This is basically saying when the right time to cry is so you don't get beat up for being “weak.”
The setting is also important when also interpreting the theme. Monster describes very little of it environment. All the reader is able to distinguish is that the monster lives in a forest surrounded by trees that bear fruit. There are very few other ‘monsters’ it encounters. Our environment can become our own worst enemy when it comes to knowledge.
The morning and night grew similar as Winter approached with great speed. The Autumn winds grew colder and the tree's began to lose color. Dark orbs stared out into the window, the cracked window reflected his darkened face. He saw the wisps of passed souls that haunted him, behind him. Two hands that bore no flesh wrapped around his throat, but as it tightened it slipped through his neck.