Steve’s story is revealed through his journal writings and movie scripts, which include stage directions. He shares his observations and perceptions from his prison cell, along with his anxieties about the upcoming trial that could potentially lead to a 25-year to life prison sentence. The novel presents different types of evidence that demonstrate Steve’s presence at the store during the crime and his previous conversations with James King regarding their involvement. Although Steve denies signaling others, testimonies from them imply otherwise.
We do not witness Steve’s emergence from the store firsthand. Both Steve’s father and his defense attorney express skepticism regarding his innocence. According to the law, if he colluded with others to carry out a crime (the robbery), and someone dies during the commission of said crime (regardless of the manner of death), all conspirators can be charged with felony murder. Therefore, there are suggestions of his possible guilt. However, there is plenty of evidence affirming that he is fundamentally a well-behaved individual – as attested by his teacher, mother, and his rapport with his younger sibling.
In his journal, Steve expresses his desire to appear and feel like a good person, as he truly believes he is. However, being around these guys in this situation makes it challenging to view himself as different. Despite being younger than them, he notices their similarities and youthfulness. Although we don’t witness him explicitly agreeing to participate, we are aware that he was there when the plan was discussed. If we assume that his role was to signal the others that it was safe, we must acknowledge that the absence of a signal served as the signal itself.
Moreover, the issue of proportionate punishment arises. Though some may argue that he is legally culpable, a life sentence appears excessively severe for a first offense, especially considering his absence during the time of the crime. When the attorney concluded their final statement, the judge was prepared to deliver his verdict. The judge declared Mr. King guilty and Steve to be innocent. Upon uttering this statement, he glanced at his lawyer (Ms. O’Brien) with gratitude, yet she deliberately disregarded him.
The text highlights the uncertainty regarding Steve’s character, as his lawyer doubts whether he is innocent or not. Additionally, Steve’s self-identity is further strained when he realizes that his father no longer believes in him. Despite Steve asking his father if he trusts him, he fails to receive the reassurance he seeks. As a result, Steve retreats to his room and contemplates why O’Brien saw something monstrous in him. It should be noted that racial prejudice is prevalent throughout almost every 10 pages of this film.
The judge’s inclination to punish the black boy who supposedly committed the crime was influenced by his racial background. Despite being a young black man, Steve is not a cocaine-dealing, rock-hard gym buff. Rather, he strives to defy the stereotypes imposed on him by society. Throughout the novel, Steve undergoes significant personal growth and gains a newfound sense of maturity and pride.
The book Monster by Walter Dean Myers is relevant to my life and others today. In the book, Steve conforms to society’s expectations and becomes a follower to his acquaintances. This resonates with me because there was a time when I used to follow my friends and do things that weren’t always right. These situations can have various consequences. Additionally, the flashbacks Steve has of being with his brother remind me of the importance of my sister when she is not around.
Although I am furious with my sister for discarding my jeans along with my wallet, my love for her will never waver. There is an inexplicable bond between siblings (blushes). The storyline of the book struck a chord with me as it revolved around attempting to establish innocence amidst disbelief from others. I found myself in a comparable predicament while walking from Langley to garden city when, out of nowhere, a police officer abruptly seized and forcefully hurled me to the ground, leaving me utterly bewildered.
Upon regaining consciousness, I experienced the sensation of the police officer’s knees on my back and my face being pressed against the ground. This uncomfortable position resulted in all of the officer’s weight resting on my back, which caused my diaphragm to press firmly against solid concrete. Eventually, he raised me up, allowing me to finally inhale much-needed air. Simultaneously, another officer approached while the one restraining me declared, “You are being accused of vandalism and will be charged with damaging private property.” In the midst of this chaotic situation, I exclaimed loudly like a 12-year-old school girl, “You have mistaken me for someone else! What did I do wrong?”
During my involvement in graffiti tagging on the wall of an elderly gentleman, I found myself subjected to a police search and interrogation. Despite repeatedly asserting my innocence, another officer arrived in a separate vehicle and proclaimed, “Let him go, we have apprehended the actual culprit further down the road.” After recording my details and offering apologies, they eventually released me. This is an experience that I desperately want to forget. The main lesson I took away from this incident is the significance of independence and making personal decisions instead of blindly following others. Furthermore, it taught me to carefully consider the repercussions of my actions and ensure they align with moral principles.
