Steve is on trial for allegedly being the lookout in a serious crime that involved robbery and murder. Steve is pretty freaked out, in need of a way to deal with both the trial and the nastiness surrounding him in prison. Steve may have made some poor decisions in the last 16 years, but hes not a monster. The book is set as if steve is making a screenplay. In the book monster written by walter dean meyer, steve harmon, a 16 year old black boy, is by going a trial determining if he will spend his life in jail or not. James king is found guilty, while steve is found not guilty.
As steve moves to hug obrien, she turns away, leaving steve to question why. Is 16yearold steve harmon guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. Evans testifies that steve was part of the robbery team, acting as a lookout man. I give monster a rate of 5 stars because this book is such an amazing book. The trial ends with closing arguments, a camera dramatically panning the courtroom and the verdict. To further examine that steve harmon from walter dean myers book, monster needs to be found guilty the following reasons should be thoroughly investigated. Monster study guide contains a biography of walter dean myers.
The high drama in this dialoguedriven story will appeal to even reluctant readers. Booktalking monster by walter dean myers the new york public. Essay about walter dean myers monster guilty until. Harmon does not go into any details about the verdicts, but at. The monster quotes below are all either spoken by kathy obrien or refer to kathy obrien. Says steve is an honest kid talented, bright, outstanding, copassionate vouches for the fact that steve was working on a film. 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. 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. Who is steve dickson guilty in the monster essay 1039.
Steve tries to hide his head under a blanket to avoid going to the first day of trial. 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 s outcome of the trial was not guilty with which many would most likely not agree with. Kathy obrien character analysis in monster litcharts. Who is steve dickson guilty in the monster essay 1039 words. And teens will appreciate debating whether steve s guilty or not, and related issues, such as the fairness of our judicial system. Monster by walter dean myers book summary minute book. And teens will appreciate debating whether steve s guilty or not, and related issues, such as the fairness of our judicial. Thats what prosecutor petrocelli calls him, and he cant help but dwell on it. His attorney takes the pencil from him and just as systematically crosses out all the words. Still, steve certainly feels enough guilt throughout the novel to suggest that his choice to act as a lookout for kings robbery scheme directly lead to nesbitts death.
Steve was caught in the drugstore and all 3 king, osvaldo and bobo reconized steve as the lookout. Monster is a young adult drama novel by american author walter dean myers and was published by harpercollins in 1999. In the book, he tried to mollify himself by denying in his mind and to the jury his part in the murder. Walter dean myers grew up in harlem, where steve is from. In walter dean myers monster, steve harmon the defendant in the trial is being charged. Obrien gives him the cold shoulder after the trial, which only makes him doubt himself more. Thankfully, steves lawyer, kathy obrien, is doing her best to make the jury see him as a human. Steve didnt think he was a monster, but now hes not so sure. Even in the middle of the novel steve still thinks he is not guilty and not a bas person but know he has to take responsibility for his actions. At the end of the novel, we learn that king has been found guilty of murder, while steve walks away free.
Monster by walter dean myers monster is the story about a 16 year old black boy named steve harmon from harlem. Note his reference to walking in a drugstore and looking around 115, his reaction when he overhears the women talking about the crime 117120, his shock when he hears the report on tv 120121, and his stupor after hearing of bobos arrest 123. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. In the book monster, did steve change and if so, what was it and was it good or a bad change. The story is told through steve s perspective, primarily as a screenplay he has written about the experience at the outset, steve s trial is just beginning. It shows that power, control, and punishment can truly shape a person.
Note the commonality of events in the midst of steve s lifedeath trial pp. It was nominated for the 1999 national book award for young peoples literature, won the michael l. Walter dean myers acclaimed 1999 young adult novel is the source of. Walter dean myers monster guilty until proven innocent monster is an example of what patty campbell would call a landmark book. Apr 21, 1999 i give monster a rate of 5 stars because this book is such an amazing book. Walter dean myers monster guilty until proven innocent. He reaches to hug his lawyer, the woman who showed the world that he is not a monster. Monster by walter dean myers book summary minute book report. In the time that we have, we will show you the facts that point to steve harmon being guilty, for example. The monster in walter dean myers monster 879 words. Monster guilt and innocence presentation by steve harmon on. In language arts class we read a book called monster, by walter dean myers. 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.
Steves outcome of the trial was not guilty with which many would most likely not agree with. Next section the trial, the journal, and the screenplay summary and analysis previous section themes buy study guide. In monster by walter dean myers, what are some of the reasons why. In the book, he tried to mollify himself by denying in. Why isnt steve harmon guilty of felony murder in the book monster by walter dean myers. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Steve harmon, the novels protagonistand, at times, its narratoris a sixteenyearold africanamerican student from harlem. At the beginning of the novel, the reader learns that steve is in prison awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a murder. Although steves actual guilt or innocence is never explicitly revealed, his inner narrative and framing of events suggests that he did participate in the robbery in a. Argumentative essay on monster 1024 words bartleby. The book begins with him in jail waiting for his trial to start. Monster is about a 16 year old boy named steve harmon, and how he had to go on a trial for felony murder. This changed steves life forever, because he would not spend his life in jail.
He fights his worst battles in his head, as he tries to figure out if hes truly a monster. Steve strives for obrien to see him as a human rather than a monster, thus revealing steve s own struggle with his sense of himself. Monster quotesquotationssymbolismmetaphorsmotifssymbols. Apr 27, 2009 the book monster by walter dean myers, is about teenager steve harmon who has a gift for screen play writing. Was steve an innocent party, wrongly accused by guilty boys simply. 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. The campaign is in the william goldman moment the last word msnbc duration. Monster study guide packet livingston public schools. James is found guilty and receives a sentence of 25 years to life, while steve. Monster book by walter dean myers free essay example.
However, i suppose it could be argued that this is not an accurate ruling. Are these feelings of being a monster based on the truth that he did passively signal the allclear to the robbers, and. In this book a young man named steve harmon had been put in jail because he supposably killed a man that worked in a drug store. The story is written in screenplay format, due to steve s passion for filmmaking, along with steve s. Steve, sixteen and in prison awaiting a murder trial, is an african american teen and. Steve harmon is the main character of the book monster. Is obriens coaching intended to hide steves guilty feelings from the jury. In this book a young man named steve harmon had been put in jail because he supposably killed a man that worked in a. 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 decipher. Sixteenyearold steve harmon is sitting on the edge of a medal cot, head in hands. In this quote steve also reveals his fear of abandonment. Their evidence almost entirely focused on james king, which is why he was found guilty in the end, but steve is almost shoehorned into the trail as an attempt by. He admits that he is not a bad person which shows that he has grown through the past weeks.
Is obriens coaching intended to hide steve s guilty feelings from the jury. The monster in him is the struggle between his innocence and guilt. Potent monster explores guilt, innocence, workings of a trial. He claims he is innocent and didnt participate in the robbery. Monster argumentative essay the united states judicial system says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Rather, she has a preset view of steve s character and does not view him as a unique person. Zach liston and jamis williams both as news reporters camera workediting tanner moulton. According to the book monster, by myers, steve harmon is found innocent.
So, heres another booktalk of a very highly decorated book in terms of. There is not a large amount of scientific evidence in the case against steve harmon, so the jury. Just writing in his journal isnt cutting it, so he. Steve s greatest conflict is not really the trial itself, though its certainly stressful and difficult. But then, later in the book, two ladies talk about the crime he committed, and he drops it again. According to steve s notes on july 7th, what do they talk about in jail.
Mar 28, 2016 this is a quick book summary of monster by walter dean myers. Steve is guilty of accessory to murder of agluinado nesbitt. Understanding what he did to deserve this fate reason 3 he gave the others the sign that it was safe, so he is part of the crime. Should steve harmon, who is 16, and on trial for felony murder be released from prison. But not everyone agrees with steve, least of all sandra petrocelli, the attorney who is prosecuting him for felony murder. Why do you think hed wear a suit and tie to his trial instead of his orange jumper. Steve is on trial for a being a possible accomplice to a murder. He tries to pick it up out of the gutter, and succeeds. Twentyfive years to life in prisonthats the sentence facing our main man, steve harmon. 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. Steve ruminates on this, still uncertain whether he is guilty or not, despite the jurys decision. What did miss obrien see that caused her to look away. Monster study guide contains a biography of walter dean myers, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Nov 07, 2007 do you agree that steve harmon is guilty or not for the crime why or why not. Steve imagines himself writing about the crime, but he doesnt want to have it in his mind anymore than the jurors might want to have the pictures in theirs. Steve systematically writes the word monster all over his notebook. The basketball in the book monster is very symbolic. In 1999, in his young adult book monster, walter dean myers introduced readers to a young man named steve harmon. The character of steve harmon in monster from litcharts the. The reader is left as uncertain as steve is as to whether or not he is a monster. 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. James king, osvaldo cruz, and freddy alou made up a few of the tough guys steve swapped dialogue with on occasion. Steve harmon guilty or innocent monster by walter dean myers. Printz award, monster was also recognized as a coretta scott king award honor book and national book award finalist. Why is steve innocent in the book monster by walter dean.
Steve s mother brings him a bible and asks him to read psalm 28. 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. Why steve harmon is guilty by nathan galat on prezi. Jennifer kendall is an english teacher, librarian, and writer specializing in young adult and childrens literature. In the novel monster by walter dean myers, we are introduced to steve harmon. 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. The story is told through steves perspective, primarily as a screenplay he has. 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. The book monster by walter dean meyer 1039 words cram. Printz award in 2000, and was named a coretta scott king award honor the same year.
Steve was caught in the drugstore and all 3 king, osvaldo and bobo reconized steve as. In the novel monster, the jury finds james king guilty of felony murder, but the narrator and protagonist, steve harmon, not guilty. Was steve guilty or innocent in the book monster answers. The book monster by walter dean myers, is about teenager steve harmon who has a gift for screen play writing. This is a quick book summary of monster by walter dean myers. Examines how steve harmon from walter dean myers book, monster, is guilty of felony murder. His neighborhood was an honesttogoodness thugathon. He does so, although he doesnt feel like rejoicing or. Exp ain a time in your life when you resented life as usual when pu were.
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