This is an open-ended question asking an individual reader to relate his or her personal experiences to what Steve Harmon is going through in Monster. While it is never confirmed whether or not Steve is guilty or innocent, what readers can know for sure is that Steve hates being in jail. He is absolutely terrified of the place and the people that are there with him. Steve is constantly debating whether or not he is a monster, but he knows that he is very much surrounded by people he does consider monsters.

Unless you have been in prison or jail for alleged (or real) criminal activity, you aren't likely to be able to relate exactly to Steve's situation; however, every reader is likely to have been in a situation where he or she hates it to the core of their being. Think back to times in your life when you experienced something so awful or uncomfortable it made you wish for just about any other form of torture. For some people that might be a public speaking engagement. Public speaking repeatedly makes the top 3 of people's fears. Another possibility could involve extreme introverts. For this type of personality, being is school from 8–3 might be a metaphorical prison. There is always risk of a teacher calling on you or people trying to engage you with conversation.

Anecdotally, a few of my summer jobs growing up would make me write Steve's comment. I worked for a janitorial service one year cleaning public pool bathrooms all summer. I hated that to the point that I don't think I can effectively describe my full loathing.