Summary Of Monster 'By Tim O' Brien

What makes a kind, compassionate, moral human being? On the flip side, what makes a monster? A prevalent theme in the YA novel “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers is image , or how one views themselves and how they want, or need , in the case of Steve Harmon, others to view them. The reader is presumably dropped into New York of the late nighties, in time to watch 16-year-old Steve on trial for a crime he might or might not have committed, despite the dearth of evidence. The story alternates between a 3rd-person screenplay and diary format as Steve resolves to take up his pen and document his experience. The narrative follows his view of life

Ultimately, the story forewarns that other people’s perception of one's character and who they are as a person just may be what defines them-This is apparent as Steve struggles with his view of himself during his time in court and prison, how O’Brien successfully defends Steve in court yet still believes he is guilty, and how Steve’s family and friends react to the trial and subsequent acquittal. These people who stand by Steve, like his family and film teacher, serve as evidence that Steve is not, in fact, a monster.

One of the ways the reader sees the theme unfold is Steve’s own view of himself throughout the story. Steve does not believe he is guilty. He doesn’t think he fits in with the rest of the convicts, and writes in his journal on the first day, “I’m a good person”(Myers 59), almost like he’s convincing himself. Interestingly enough, despite asserting that he’s not a criminal, he isn’t prepared to lay bare the facts, neither in his diary, nor when

O’Brien and her own beliefs about the case and Steve himself, despite what she convinces the jury, teach Steve to be more aware of how others see him. O’Brien, who Steve dubs the “Defense Attorney with Doubts”, believes Steve is guilty. She comes into play when connecting with the jury, fully aware of the challenge. “Half those jurors… believed you were guilty the moment they laid eyes on you” she informs Steve frankly “You’re young, you’re Black, and you’re on trial. What else do they need to know?”(Myers 79). O’Brien knows that the task set before her is difficult- the deciding factor for the jury will be how they see him and how much of an open mind they are able to keep during the trial, as she reminds them no less than three times to remain impartial. During the trial, especially during the closing statements, it’s her job to show that Steve is nothing like Evans or Cruz, and specifically, to separate him from King, hence “Think of Steve Harmon's character as opposed to that of Bobo Evans. Compare Steven Harmon to…to Mr. Cruz, who admitted taking part in this crime, who admitted that to become a member of his gang, he had to slash a stranger in the face. Is there reasonable doubt as to Steve Harmon's guilt? I think the doubt was established when Lorelle Henry did not identify Steve as being in the store. It was