True Identity In Walter Dean Myer's Monster

Why is it important for someone to know who they are? Do other people’s actions impact how someone views themselves? Are people better than the worst thing they have done? In Walter Dean Myer’s realistic fiction book Monster, the protagonist Steve Harmon finds himself searching for his true identity while on trial for felony murder. When Steve is accused of being involved in a murder in his neighborhood, he finds himself in jail and goes on trial, facing 25 years or even life in jail. While meeting with his family and thinking about what led him there, Steve looks within himself to figure out what kind of person he is. Based on the novel, Steve Harmon is conveyed as confused, sensitive, and doubtful. In the beginning of the realistic fiction

An example of this can be seen when Steve meets with his dad, and he starts getting emotional because it is clear his dad is disappointed in him. Steve thinks, “Seeing my dad cry like that was just so terrible” (Myers 115). At this moment, Steve shows that he does not want to hurt his family, and he cares about his dad’s perception of him. This is important because it illustrates Steve’s remorse for his actions, and proves that Steve does not like disappointing people. His sad feelings towards the memory of his dad portray his sensitivity. Another moment when the author illustrates Steve’s concern for his self image is when he is surrounded by his inmates and thinking about what kind of person he is. Steve thinks, “He will have the word monster tattooed on his forehead. I feel like I already have it tattooed on mine” (Myers 61). Here, Steve feels looked down on because of the evidence against him. This is important because it shows that Steve is aware of how others see him, and he becomes saddened or discouraged when he feels like he is limited by the labels he is given, such as monster. When Steve explains that he feels like he has the word monster on his head, he is saying that he feels like people have already dismissed him as inferior and without potential, further proving that he cares how others perceive him. Steve’s awareness of how other people view him and his sensitivity show character development and