Monster Walter Dean Myers

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, is about a 16 year old Harlem boy named Steve Harmon. Steve gets tried for murder in a court of law because he supposedly was involved in the burglary/shooting of Mr. Nesbit, the convenience store clerk on December 22. Steve is wrongfully arrested, and spends time in jail awaiting his verdict, which he is found innocent for after a long trial. While in prison, Steve put his time to good use and wrote a play word for word based on his trial. This book falls under the theme of stories that expose limits. This is true because Steve lost all hope in his case, and thought that he will be found guilty for the murder of Mr. Nesbit; however he found thestrength to push through and regain his confidence. Steve's main inspiration was his family because he does not want to look weak in their eyes, especially his younger brother. In addition, Steve has to live in prison for a few months awaiting his verdict; he has to keep up a tough attitude to get through the daily occurrences of beat-downs, molestation and corruption. Prison is even worse for an inmate when they are truly innocent. Steve Harmon is a very strong individual for being able to push through this whole trial without going over the edge; he coped with everything and kept sane by writing his play. Steve Harmon portrays the fear of a teenager who is in prison and portrays a confident teenager who is strong enough to pull through any adversity while having his world thrown upside down. He portrays fear of ones life in prison because the whole book he is trying to get out of prison and to have his life back. He also convinces his lawyer of his innocence and the fact that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. If Steve Harmon had not put any effort in, or did not convince his lawyer he was innocent, he would have rotted for his whole life in a 6 by 8 foot cell. Steve Harmon portraysconfidence because he always believed in his innocence, and would stop at nothing to convince others. Steve's family and lawyer, Kathy O'Brien, motivated Steve to believe in himself because they believed that he could never commit a heinous crime such as murder. I can relate to Steve Harmon because when I was elementary school I did not have much confidence in myself. For example, when I would be in plays I did not like to be on stage and perform. When Steve started his trial he didn't have muchconfidence in himself either. Steve Harmon had such little confidence he thought he was guilty even though he was not. As time progressed, I felt much more confident in myself to take certain risks, try new stuff and make my voice heard. I can thank my parents and friends for this accomplishment. My parents would always encourage me to try new things, speak out, and always tell me I am the best. Steve Harmon gained hisconfidence from his friends and family also, his lawyer always telling him he is going to be ok and he will be tried innocent. What this taught me about myself is family is the most important thing in your life and they can only make your life better.