In the book monster is steve innocent

This is undoubtedly due to myers ability to capture the complex character and feelings of steve and reveal the flaws in a criminal justice system which relies on the dehumanization of the accused. Steves probable guilt is reinforced by the fact that the state prosecutor labels him a monster in her opening remarks, and this becomes the way that steve sees himself throughout the novel, dehumanizing himself. Printz award in 2000, and was named a coretta scott king award honor the same year. He writes in his diary to pass the time, chronicling his observations and anxieties while imprisoned. The character of steve harmon in monster from litcharts the. Throughout the trial, steves mother leaves cleaned shirts and underwear for him. Monster is a young adult drama novel by american author walter dean myers and was published by harpercollins in 1999. Twentyfive years to life in prisonthats the sentence facing our main man, steve harmon. There is not a large amount of scientific evidence in the case against steve.

Steve, sixteen and in prison awaiting a murder trial, is an african american teen and. Although she and steves father try to be upbeat, steve feels that she is mourning him as though he were dead. Whether or not steve is innocent might be an entirely different set of conditions. Another prisoner asks the older one to suppose that steve is innocent. Steve was caught in the drugstore and all 3 king, osvaldo and bobo reconized steve as the lookout. Argumentative essay on monster 1024 words bartleby. The story is told through steves perspective, primarily as a screenplay he has written about the experience. Steve harmon, the novels protagonistand, at times, its narratoris a sixteenyearold africanamerican student from harlem. To be innocent means that steve did nothing wrong and was a victim of circumstance.

Printz award in 2000, and was named a coretta scott king award honor the same year the book uses a mixture of a thirdperson screenplay and a firstperson. Monster argumentative essay the united states judicial system says that you are innocent until proven guilty. There is not a large amount of scientific evidence in the case against steve harmon, so the jury. Steve addresses his fraught relationship with his father. Essay about walter dean myers monster guilty until.

In 1999, in his young adult book monster, walter dean myers introduced readers to a young man named steve harmon. Just writing in his journal isnt cutting it, so he begins chronicling his experience in screenplay form as well. Was steve guilty or innocent in the book monster answers. Steve can sense his fathers disappointment due to his involvement in the crime, despite steves assertion that he is innocent. He is also very talented to write and perform such a. Betty trevino i believe the reason obrien looks away from him is because she is recognizing the difference between innocence and being found not guilty. Steve himself recognizes his own progression from believing he is innocent for not having done his. It was nominated for the 1999 national book award for young peoples literature, won the michael l.

Says steve is an honest kid talented, bright, outstanding, copassionate vouches for the fact that steve was working on a film. Examines how steve harmon from walter dean myers book, monster, is guilty of felony murder. He is now beginning to realize that the case is a matter of his life and death and he might actually end up on death row. Evans testifies that steve was part of the robbery team, acting as a lookout man. The book begins with him in jail waiting for his trial to start. Steve is on trial for a being a possible accomplice to a murder. Are these feelings of being a monster based on the truth that he did passively signal the allclear to the. Even though a small chapter, this journal entry really shows how life in the prison can turn a man into the monster that steve is beginning to believe he is. In spite of his potential guilt, steves youth and minimal involvement he was passively roped into it by king suggest. Steve struggles to prove his innocence, not only to everyone else, but to himself as well. The former is about lacking culpability and the other is about the justice system not having enough evidence to convict.

Steve harmon is the main character of the book monster. Steve is a 16yearold black kid from harlem charged with felony murder for his involvement in a botched robbery that ended in mr. Is steve an accomplice to murder or an innocent kid. Steve is on trial for allegedly being the lookout in a serious crime that involved robbery and murder. In the book, he tried to mollify himself by denying in. It also shows how innocent steve is being again only 16 years. After his arrest, steves relationship with his father is tense. Opening statement we think that steve harmon is innocent because there is not enough evidence to prove he is guilty, he is very certain and stuck with trying to prove that that he was not there when the crime was committed and finally because. Create marketing content that resonates with prezi video. In the book, he tried to mollify himself by denying in his mind and to the jury his part in the murder. Monster book report in monster, by walter dean myers, the reader learns from steve harmons experiences that sometimes guilt or innocence of a person might not be determined by solid evidence but by onlookers opinions and interpretation of the crime. Steve harmon is a 16 year old male in jail awaiting trial for felony murder. Steve is pretty freaked out, in need of a way to deal with both the trial and the nastiness surrounding him in prison. In language arts class we read a book called monster, by walter dean myers.

While in prison, steve put his time to good use and wrote a play word for word based on his trial. Monster by walter dean myers monster is the story about a 16 year old black boy named steve harmon from harlem. Why is steve innocent in the book monster by walter dean. According to the book monster, by myers, steve harmon is found innocent. Are these feelings of being a monster based on the truth that he did passively signal the allclear to the robbers, and thereby he has blood on his hands. In monster, by walter dean myers, steve harmon is on trial for felony murder. Steve is on the brink of losing his ability to selfidentify. He tells the story as if he is recording the events as they happen in real life. In this awardwinning novel, walter dean myers brings us the story of 16yearold steve harmon, on trial for the murder of a drugstore owner in harlem. Monster guilt and innocence presentation by steve harmon on.

Walter dean myers monster guilty until proven innocent. The story is written in screenplay format, due to steves passion for filmmaking, along. It also shows the amount of misery and dispare he must be feeling as hes in there. Monster is about a 16 year old boy named steve harmon, and how he had to go on a trial for felony murder. The story is written in screenplay format, due to steve s passion for filmmaking, along with steve s. Written as a play, by the determined main character, steve harmon, writes an amazing play. According to steves notes on july 7th, what do they talk about in jail. I believe that steve harmon is innocent because he didnt know bobo evans, the store wasnt clear, and there was no signal. In the novel monster, written by walter dean myers, we can learn from steve harmons experiences that sometimes the guilt or the innocence of a person might not be determined by solid evidence but by the onlookers opinions and interpretation of the crime. The book monster by walter dean myers relates to my life and others today because in the book steve conformed to societys expectations and was a sheep to his acquaintances, which relates to me a fair while ago, because not to long ago i followed my friends and did what they did even though sometimes it wasnt the right thing to do. Once steve is accused of being an accomplice, his father loses his confidence and trust in his son. According to obrian are people innocent until proven guilty.

Texts such as these encourage readers to interact with the text and with one another by employing a variety of devices, among them ambiguity campbell 1 because it is told through the eyes of steve. The main conflict of walter dean myers book, monster, is about a teen accused of murder trying to clear his name in both the legal and social settings. The trial continues with wendell bolden on the stand. She tells him that she knows he is innocent, regardless of what happens. The story is told through steves perspective, primarily as a screenplay he has written about the experience at the outset, steves trial is just beginning.

It also shows how innocent steve is being again only 16 years old. The book monster by walter dean myers, is about teenager steve harmon who has a gift for screen play writing. Steve is guilty of accessory to murder of agluinado nesbitt. Steves greatest conflict is not really the trial itself, though its certainly stressful and difficult. Steve is wrongfully arrested, and spends time in jail awaiting his verdict, which he is found innocent for after a long trial.

At the beginning of the novel, the reader learns that steve is in prison awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a murder. However, i suppose it could be argued that this is not an accurate ruling. Sixteenyearold steve harmon is sitting on the edge of a medal cot, head in hands. Monster then delves into the psychological realm as steve tries to decide if he is innocent or if he is, in fact, a monster. For the best answers, search on this site in the novel monster, written by walter dean myers, we can learn from steve harmons experiences that sometimes the guilt or the innocence of a person might not be determined by solid evidence but by the onlookers opinions and interpretation of the crime.

Steve was caught in the drugstore and all 3 king, osvaldo and bobo reconized steve as. Monster guilt and innocence presentation by steve harmon. Thats what prosecutor petrocelli calls him, and he cant help but dwell on it. Steve says he is, but the older prisoner that somebody has to be locked up and it might as well be steve. Steve harmon is the narrator and protagonist of the story. Steve harmon character analysis steve harmon character. Jennifer kendall is an english teacher, librarian, and writer specializing in young adult and childrens literature. Steve himself recognizes his own progression from believing he is innocent for not having done his part in the caper and understanding that he is complicit in events that lead to the death of an innocent man. Steve harmon guilty or innocent monster by walter dean myers. In monster, by walter dean myers, the reader learns from steve harmons experiences that sometimes guilt or innocence of a person might not be determined by solid evidence but by onlookers opinions and interpretation of the crime. Aug 07, 2006 in the novel monster, written by walter dean myers, we can learn from steve harmons experiences that sometimes the guilt or the innocence of a person might not be determined by solid evidence but by the onlookers opinions and interpretation of the crime. Steve s greatest conflict is not really the trial itself, though its certainly stressful and difficult. The character of steve harmon in monster from litcharts. In the next scene, obrien answers steves question about how the trial is going by telling him that nothing is happening that points to steves being innocent.

Walter dean myers monster guilty until proven innocent monster is an example of what patty campbell would call a landmark book. Apr 27, 2009 the book monster by walter dean myers, is about teenager steve harmon who has a gift for screen play writing. Printz award, monster was also recognized as a coretta scott king award honor book and national book award finalist. Monster book by walter dean myers free essay example. Just writing in his journal isnt cutting it, so he.

Nathnael baraki in the book monster by walter sean myers, the main character is steve harmon. He thinks his attorney, kathy obrien, doesnt believe in his innocence, and his father has been aloof. He claims he is innocent and didnt participate in the robbery. The book is set as if steve is making a screenplay. Steve can sense his fathers disappointment due to his involvement in the crime, despite steve s assertion that he is innocent. This book falls under the theme of stories that expose limits. He fights his worst battles in his head, as he tries to figure out if hes truly a monster. Texts such as these encourage readers to interact with the text and with one another by employing a variety of devices, among them ambiguity campbell 1 because it is told through the eyes of steve himself, the plot can be difficult to. The first reason why steve harmon is innocent because steve did not know bobo evans. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.