Monster By Walter Dean Myers Sparknotes

In today’s society, many people make bad decisions. In the novel, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, the narrator explains how one bad choice can lead to another. Steve Harmon, the narrator, was accused of being the lookout for a robbery which led to the murder of Mr. Nesbit and he goes on trial, debating whether he was an accessory to the murder. After reading the novel, one might think that Steve is not guilty because he didn’t kill Mr. Nesbitt and no witnesses saw him in the store. The jury has to decide if he was guilty for the murder, if he was guilty of being the lookout, and he even questions his innocence.

Steve is questioning his own innocence on whether he was involved in the robbery. He first, lies under oath, saying he wasn’t at the store and later writes in his journal that he was, “in to get some mints and back out”. On page 203, Steve, (writing in his journal), states, “we all lie to ourselves here” meaning he subconsciously wants to believe he is innocent. Steve does admit that King and Bobo asked him to check the place out, but he never gives them a signal. Steve is trying to justify his actions but is having second thoughts on whether he participated in the robbery.

Nesbitt's murder. There is no true evidence he was there, however, he tells the jury he was not. Witnesses from the scene recall seeing King and Bobo but never said anything about Steve being there. Later Steve explains to the reader he is not guilty for all he did was buy mints and leave, never signaled to King and Bobo. The jury does not have access to Steve’s journal, only testimonies given in the