Monster Questions and Answers
Monster
What are the main differences between the Monster film and novel?
The main differences between the Monster film and novel lie in character relationships and interactions. The film adds Steve's girlfriend, Renee, and portrays his father as more supportive....
Monster
Why did Kathy O'Brien turn away from Steve Harmon after his acquittal in Monster?
Kathy O'Brien turns away from Steve Harmon after his acquittal because her professional obligation is complete. As a defense lawyer, her role was to cast doubt on Steve's guilt and secure his...
Monster
In Monster, why did Steve include the flashback about the cartoon?
One could argue that Steve chose to include the flashback about watching the cartoon in Monster because it shows how watching the newscast about the murder and robbery of Mr. Nesbitt has brought home...
Monster
Does Steve's father believe him when he says he's innocent?
Steve's father does not believe in his innocence. During a jail visit, Mr. Harmon is skeptical when Steve claims he will testify truthfully about not participating in the robbery. He avoids...
Monster
In Monster, why does Steve write, "The best time to cry is at night"?
Steve writes, "The best time to cry is at night," because it prevents other inmates from knowing you are scared, which would make you a target. In Monster, he describes a prison environment where...
Monster
When was the crime committed in "Monster"?
The crime in Walter Dean Myers' Monster occurred on December 22. While the year is not explicitly stated, context clues such as references to Mayor Rudy Giuliani suggest it likely took place in the...
Monster
Ownership of the gun used in the shooting in Monster
The gun used in the shooting in Monster is owned by Osvaldo Cruz. This detail is significant in the story as it ties Cruz to the crime and impacts the trial's dynamics.
Monster
James King and Steve Harmon's Accusation and Potential Verdict in "Monster"
In Walter Dean Myers' novel Monster, James King and Steve Harmon are accused of the felony murder of Aguinaldo Nesbitt, a Harlem drugstore owner. King is portrayed as the primary perpetrator, with...
Monster
What does Steve from Monster compare his jail experience to?
In Walter Dean Myers's novel, Monster, Steve Harmon compares his jail experience to the prisons he has seen in movies. He switches his diary format to a third-person screenplay to process his...
Monster
The irony of Steve's situation in Monster
The irony in Steve's situation in Monster lies in his struggle to prove his innocence while grappling with his self-identity. Despite being a good student and aspiring filmmaker, he is labeled as a...
Monster
The significance of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon's visits to Steve in Monster
The visits from Mr. and Mrs. Harmon in Monster are significant as they highlight the emotional strain on Steve and his family. They underscore the support and concern of his parents, contrasting with...
Monster
What is Ernie's crime in Monster and is he guilty?
In Monster, Ernie has been caught sticking up a jewelry store. He took money and jewelry from the store and then locked the two employees in the back room with a padlock they used on the front gates....
Monster
The ownership and identity of the killer of Mr. Nesbitt in "Monster"
The killer of Mr. Nesbitt in Monster is James King. During the trial, testimonies and evidence point to King as the one who physically carried out the murder during the robbery, while Steve Harmon...
Monster
What is Steve's reason for being in the convenience store in Monster?
Steve's reason for being in the convenience store is contested. According to Osvaldo and Richard "Bobo" Evans, his role was to check for police presence and signal if the coast was clear for a...
Monster
What does the Bible symbolize to Steve in Monster?
In "Monster," the Bible symbolizes Steve Harmon's mother's unwavering belief in his innocence and her hope that it will provide him with strength during his ordeal. Although she gives it to him with...
Monster
How does Dr. Moody state Mr. Nesbitt died in Monster?
Dr. Moody testifies that Mr. Nesbitt died from internal organ trauma and his lungs filling with blood, resulting from a single bullet. The bullet entered the left side of his body, moved upward...
Monster
In Monster, are there any fingerprints on Mr. Nesbitt's murder weapon?
According to Detective Karyl and Detective Williams, no identifiable fingerprints were found on the gun that shot Mr. Nesbitt. There were also no identifiable fingerprints in specific areas of the...
Monster
In "Monster," what were the results of the fingerprint search?
The fingerprint search revealed that no clear fingerprints were found at the crime scene that could be attributed to the perpetrator. Detective Karyl testified that the crime-scene technicians were...
Monster
In "Monster," what did Osvaldo mean when he identified Steve as the lookout?
In "Monster," Osvaldo claims that Steve Harmon was the lookout during a robbery, meaning Steve was supposed to warn the others if anyone approached. Osvaldo's testimony is part of a plea deal with...
Monster
How does Steve Harmon's mistake affect him in Monster?
Steve Harmon's mistake in participating in a robbery that leads to murder profoundly affects him. It causes him to question his identity and perceive himself as a "monster," as labeled by the...
Monster
In Monster, why does Steve's mother's departure and her comment "No matter what anybody says" upset him?
In Monster, it bothers Steve so much when his mother leaves because, whereas she’s convinced of Steve’s innocence, he wonders whether he’s fooling himself. And her comment that "no matter what...
Monster
In Monster by Walter Dean Myers, how does Steve behave in his neighborhood?
In his neighborhood, Steve Harmon behaves differently depending on his surroundings and company. Initially naive and childish, he later attempts to act tough to fit in with older, tougher kids....
Monster
What did Steve's mother bring him in prison in the novel Monster?
In the novel Monster, Steve's mother visits him in prison and brings him a Bible. The Bible has Psalm 28:7 highlighted, and she encourages Steve by affirming her belief in his innocence and...
Monster
Why does Myers include a flashback to Steve's childhood in the novel Monster?
Myers includes a flashback to Steve's childhood to provide insight into Steve's personality. In the flashback, Steve lets his friend Tony take the blame for an accident Steve caused, demonstrating...
Monster
What is the impact of the community in the book Monster?
The community in Monster significantly impacts young people like Steve by fostering an environment where crime is prevalent and often seen as a means to escape poverty. Crime and racial prejudices...
Monster
What are two symbols in Monster and their representations?
In Monster, two significant symbols are the mirror and the script. The mirror represents Steve's struggle with identity and self-perception, reflecting the inescapable reality and others' judgments,...
Monster
What does the mirror symbolize in Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
The mirror symbolizes Steve's similar circumstances to other young black people who were imprisoned and cast to the racist justice system. It also symbolizes Steve's changing view of his identity. In...
Monster
How does the narrator's movie in Monster differ from other prison movies?
At the beginning of Monster, Steve Harmon explains that his movie will differ from other prison films because it is not all about "bars and locked doors." Steve says his movie is more about...
Monster
How did Bolden and Zinzi discover the robbery in Monster?
Bolden found out about the robbery in Monster after he obtained two cartons of stolen cigarettes from someone involved in the hold-up. Zizzi found out about the robbery from Bolden, who told him...
Monster
Describe the events in Monster from Delgado’s perspective.
In describing the events of the day from Delgado's point of view we need to recognize that he wasn't an eyewitness to what happened. An employee at the store Delgado came back from his lunch break to...
Monster
Why does Lorelei Henry struggle to testify in Monster?
Lorelei Henry is reluctant to testify against a black man so, even when she knows he's the right person, it still takes her some time to point him out in court.
Monster
What is the significance of the termite talk in Walter Dean Myers' novel Monster?
The termite talk in Walter Dean Myers' novel highlights two key themes. First, it underscores the indifference of the judicial system towards Steve Harmon, who is on trial for his life, as court...
Monster
Why isn't James King testifying in Monster?
James King is not testifying because his attorney knows he previously lied to the police, claiming he did not know Richard "Bobo" Evans, a statement the prosecution can disprove. If King were to...
Monster
In Monster, what lesson does Steve learn from other inmates that could benefit his future?
Steve learns from other inmates that survival in the justice system often requires compromising one's principles. They emphasize that escaping conviction is paramount, even if it means lying. This...
Monster
What does Acie mean by "all they can do is put me in jail" in Monster?
In Monster, when Acie says that all the court can do is to put him in jail, he means that the true facts of the case, along with his motives and intentions, are known only to God. The jury can say...
Monster
In Monster, what does Acie say about his upcoming verdict?
Acie, an inmate awaiting his verdict, expresses a stoic attitude, claiming he doesn't care about the outcome because he believes God will forgive him for his actions. He was accused of robbing a...
Monster
How does the guard react to Steve's gagging while cleaning the floors?
The guard's reaction to Steve's gagging when cleaning the floors in Monster is unsympathetic, to say the least. He tells him that if he vomits, there'll just be more for him to clean up.
Monster
In Monster, why might Osvaldo's claim of participating in the robbery due to fear of Bobo be unbelievable?
In Monster, Osvaldo, despite his youth, is a violent gang member who frightens Steve and admits to slashing a stranger's face with a knife. It is unlikely that Bobo or anyone else could coerce him...
Monster
Why is Bolden's statement, “I just wanted to do the right thing. You know, like a good citizen” ironic?
Bolden's statement, "I just wanted to do the right thing. You know, like a good citizen," is ironic because he is a career criminal testifying for personal gain rather than a genuine desire to be a...
Monster
Does Monster by Walter Dean Myers explicitly state if Steven is guilty or innocent?
The novel does not explicitly state whether Steve Harmon is guilty or innocent of the crime. Although he is declared "not guilty" at the trial, inconsistencies in his story suggest possible...
Monster
What crime do Richard 'Bobo' Evans and Osvaldo Cruz testify for, and why?
Richard 'Bobo' Evans and Osvaldo Cruz testify about their involvement in the robbery of Aguinaldo Nesbitt. Osvaldo claims he participated out of fear of retribution from James King, Bobo, and Steve...
Monster
What is the process to become a member of Diablos in Monster?
The gang's initiation involves attacking a stranger or one of the gang members. They are said to be violent and tough, but Cruz has difficulty describing them in detail.
Monster
In the novel Monster, what is the trial's verdict?
In the trial, James King is found guilty and sentenced to twenty-five years to life, while Steve Harmon is acquitted. Despite his acquittal, Steve's lawyer, Kathy O'Brien, shows discomfort,...
Monster
What does the jail cell symbolize in Monster?
The jail in Monster is symbolic of the potential monster that Steve is. The mirror in Steve's jail cell causes him to question himself and wonder where he belongs.
Monster
What illegal methods of obtaining money do King, Peaches, and Johnny prefer in Monster?
In "Monster," King, Peaches, and Johnny discuss illegal methods of obtaining money, focusing on targeting those unlikely to report crimes. Johnny suggests robbing undocumented immigrants, who may...
Monster
In Monster by Walter Dean Myers, when was the last time Steve spoke with King before the robbery?
The last time Steve spoke with James King before the robbery was during a flashback of them sitting in Marcus Garvey Park. King discussed plans for a robbery, mentioning the need for a crew and a...
Monster
How are the ideas of grim and gloomy depicted in Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
The grim and gloomy aspects in Walter Dean Myers' Monster are depicted through unresolved endings, moral uncertainty, and the harsh realities of urban life. The protagonist, Stevie, faces ambiguity...
Monster
What are ten questions to ask a character from Monster about their role in the story?
The questions you come up with for an interview with a character from Monster might be directed at major characters like Steve Harmon and Kathy O'Brien, and the questions could ask about Steve's...
Monster
Who killed the drugstore owner in the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
In "Monster," Richard "Bobo" Evans testifies that James King shot and killed Aguinaldo Nesbitt during a robbery. Bobo claims King was high and argued with Nesbitt before the shooting. Although the...
Monster
What are some significant quotes about social issues in the book Monster?
The quote above from the book Monster is a good one. It speaks to the issue of racism in America, and it is effective because it will get readers thinking about this important social issue.