What are the 10 major events in Walter Dean Myers' Monster?
While in prison awaiting trial, Steve decides to write a screenplay based on his trial.
We find out that Steve is on trial for his involvement in the robbery of a drugstore and the subsequent murder of its owner. The prosecution are accusing Steve of acting as the lookout.
Steve's lawyer, O'Brien, tells her client that her goal is to make the jury see Steve as an individual and not as a black teenager from the hard streets of Harlem.
Steve's father visits him in prison and tells him that he thought his son would become a football player. He never once considered that he would be on trial for murder.
In a series of cuts, we see Steve's initial reaction to hearing about the arrests of his friends and acquaintances. At one point, he states that he is "staring straight ahead, mouth open, in absolute shock."
Steve states to the reader that he walked into the drugstore and bought some mints but that he didn't kill the shopkeeper, Mr. Nesbitt.
Bobo, one of the robbers, tells the court that Steve was supposed to act as their lookout but walked out of the store without indicating whether it was clear for them to go in or not.
In his testimony, Steve says he can't recall much about the day of the robbery. Despite that he's already included scenes in the screenplay of him meeting the robbers, he tells the court he can't remember the last time he spoke to them or what they said. His teacher George Sawicki then takes the stand to testify that Steve is a good student and, in his opinion, a good person.
The court finds Steve not guilty. Steve goes to embrace his lawyer O'Brien, but she moves away from him. It is obvious that she thinks he is guilty.
The novel finishes with Steve saying that his relationship with his father has deteriorated. He wonders if his father and other people see him as a monster that got away with murder.
What are the 10 major events in Walter Dean Myers' Monster?
Monster is an interesting book to choose events from because it is mostly told in the format of a screenplay. Readers are reading a script. Consequently, most of what is written down could be considered major and important. A screenplay is always limited in order to give audiences as densely packed of a story as possible.
It is up to you to pick which ten events you believe should make the list, but I would include each opening statement made by the lawyers. I would include each closing statement made by each lawyer too. Pick at least one flashback that Steve tells readers about. I like the one that has Steve and his friend throwing rocks. Choose the trial result where Steve is found not guilty, and I would also include Steve taking the stand in my list.
If Steve taking the stand makes the list, then I would include the sequence that shows his lawyer preparing him for the stand. You might think about including one of his conversations with King about ways to get money. Finally, I would include one of the times that Steve is in his cell thinking about how scared he is of prison and the people around him.
What are the 10 major events in Walter Dean Myers' Monster?
1. Bobo Evans and James King allegedly hold up a drugstore on December 22nd, at approximately 4 p.m., leading to the shooting death of the drugstore owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt.
2. After the incident, a detective comes to the house of Steven Harmon, 16, and takes him into custody on suspicions that he assisted the men in planning the robbery.
3. Harmon, an active member in his school's film club, decides to document his experiences at trial and in jail through journaling, photos, video, and a screenplay.
4. At the start of the trial, Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor, makes the state's case against King and Harmon. The witnesses make the two suspects look guilty and like monsters.
5. Asa Briggs and Kathy O'Brien, the defense attorneys, cross-examine witnesses to raise doubts about their accuracy and sincerity. They lean heavily on the fact that the witnesses provided testimony in exchange for plea bargains.
6. Harmon's father comes to visit him in jail; Harmon feels his father's distance and wonders what his family and his own attorney really think of him.
7. Petrocelli interviews Evans, who says that he understood through King that Harmon's role was to make sure the coast was clear before they went through with their plan.
8. O'Brien convinces Harmon to take the stand in his own defense to separate himself from King in the eyes of the jury. Harmon's film club teacher testifies that Harmon was a good kid, based on his ability to capture the truth of humanity on film.
9. King is found guilty; Harmon is acquitted. He is so relieved that he attempts to hug his attorney; however, her resistance shows that she is still unsure of his innocence.
10. Harmon tries to return to his normal life, continuing to film himself and figure out who he really is. Is he really a monster as they say?
What are the 10 major events in Walter Dean Myers' Monster?
- Richard Evans and James King entered a drugstore and robbed it.
- Steve Harmon, a sixteen-year-old boy, is on trial for possibly being involved in the drugstore robbery.
- Steve, along with Peaches, is present during the planning of the robbery but doesn't contribute any ideas to it.
- Alguinaldo Nesbitt was killed with his own gun while trying to defend his store.
- While awaiting trial, Steve is imprisoned with Osvaldo Cruz and wonders if he is actually innocent.
- Steve is called a monster by Assistant District Attorney Sandra Petrocelli during her opening statement.
- Lorelle Henry, a retired teacher who was present during the incident, accuses King but her eyewitness testimony is called into question by police procedures and defense attorneys.
- King is found guilty.
- Steve is found innocent.
- He goes to hug his defense attorney but is dismissed, implying that she is not entirely convinced of the verdict.
What are the important events in Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
Here are a few significant events from Monster:
1. The flashback scene to when Steve is a twelve-year-old boy playing with Tony is significant. Steve throws a rock that hits a woman, and he runs away before a bigger man, thinking Tony threw the rock, punches Tony. This scene is important because it gives the reader insight into Steve's morals.
2. Steve's journal entry on Wednesday, July 8th, illustrates Steve's thoughts regarding how his race and age affect how the jury perceives him.
3. The flashback scene that depicts Steve hanging out next to Osvaldo Cruz is significant. This scene personifies both characters and reveals that Steve has been hanging around with criminals to gain respect.
4. Steve's journal entry on Friday, July 10th, indicates that he just left the store before the robbery took place and reveals that he was willing to participate in the robbery to be "tough" like James King and Bobo.
5. Steve's testimony is significant, as he tells the prosecutor and jury that he doesn't recall where he was or what he was doing at the time of the robbery.
6. The closing arguments from Briggs, O'Brien, and Petrocelli are significant and provide a summary of the witnesses and evidence connecting James King and Steve Harmon to the crime.
7. At the end of the novel, James King is convicted and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison, while Steve Harmon is found not guilty.
What are the important events in Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
There are many important events in Monster by Walter Dean Myers. Defining something as the most important in a text is up to the reader and the answers must be considered as subjective. (Subjective means something is based upon an individual's opinions and feelings.) Therefore, when examining the fifteen most important events in Monster, many lists will not be exactly the same.
Outside of that, one could look at the following as being some of the most important events in the novel.
1. The opening of the novel. In the opening, readers find out that Steve is in a cell in jail. He is describing why the best time to cry is at night. This is important given it shows his fear.
2. The "scene" between Steve and his family. Here, readers see how his family members are affected by his arrest and trial.
3. The scene with the transcriptionist and the court officers. This scene is important because it shows the lack of sympathy those involved in the court/trial process. The transcriptionist only wants the trial to be long so that she can make more money.
4. The flashback to Steve and his brother. This scene is important because it shows Steve as who he really is (on the outside).
5. The scene with Steve running from the man who was almost hit by a rock he threw. This scene shows Steve's mischievous side. Could be looked at as criminal to support those who believe him to be guilty.
6. The scene with Steve on the porch talking about making money. Again, this scene could be examined further to try to convince others that Steve is guilty if one does not believe he is.
7. The scene where Steve is with his lawyer and asks her if they are going to win. This scene is important because it shows his lawyer's difference of opinion regarding his trial. She states that "it probably depends on what you mean by "win." Certainly, each of them have a different view on what win means.
8. The testimonies. Each of the testimonies given either support Steve's defense or dispute them. The fact that many of those who testify in the trail have criminal records show the problems of the courts.
9. The verdict. The verdict scene is important because of how both Steve's mother and lawyer react. Reader's can see why Steve's lawyer has acted as she has throughout his trial and why his mother has stood by him.
10. The closing scene. The closing scene of the novel provides closure for some and anger for others. Therefore, the conclusion is not a conclusion for some readers. Instead, the conclusion leaves some feeling as if they have found no closure.
What are the 15 main events in Walter Dean Myers' novel Monster?
Here are 15 main events in Monster by Walter Dean Myers:
- Sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon finds himself in jail and is filled with fear
and loneliness. Since nothing seems real to him, he decides that writing a
screenplay is an appropriate way to record this experience.
- Steve titles his movie Monster as a reaction to how he has been
treated since being accused of involvement in a murder.
- Steve’s lawyer, Kathy O’Brien, informs him that he and James King are being
charged with felony murder and that the prosecution is seeking the death
penalty.
- Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor, calls a series of witnesses to discredit
Steve and James King and prove that they are guilty.
- The details of the crime are presented in court: On December 23rd,
Aguinaldo Nesbitt, owner of a Harlem drugstore, was killed after a fight broke
out when two young men, James King and Richard Evans, attempted to rob his
store. Nesbitt pulled a gun to defend himself, it went off when he and Evans
fought over it, and Nesbitt died. Steve was accused of participation in the
crime because he was presumed to be outside the drugstore acting as a
lookout.
- Steve has important flashbacks to sitting on a stoop on 141st Street with
James King, who talks about his money problems and how committing a robbery
could help him make ends meet.
- Nesbitt's employee, Jose Delgado, explains that, on the day of the robbery,
he left the drugstore to get Chinese food. Upon his return to work, he found
Mr. Nesbitt in a pool of blood on the ground. Jose also tells the courtroom
that five cigarette cases were missing from the register.
- Steve has more flashbacks, which portray the innocence of his youth. These
flashbacks focus on his love for film, his relationship with his film teacher,
and his participation in film club.
- Steve’s father comes to visit him, and it is revealed that he loves and
supports his son but is not positive that Steve is telling the whole truth.
This is very painful for both Steve and Mr. Harmon, and Mr. Harmon leaves in
tears.
- Kathy O’Brien places the photos of the crime scene in front of Steve to see
his reaction, wanting very much to believe in Steve’s innocence.
- Osvaldo Cruz testifies at the trial and admits to being part of the
robbery.
- Steve testifies in his own defense, claiming he was not in the drugstore
the day of the robbery and that he had not spoken with any of the young men
since.
- Steve’s lawyer tells the court that Steve never met with Ellis or Evans
before the robbery and that there is no evidence that he received any of the
money or items stolen from the drugstore, helping Steve’s appearance to the
jurors.
- The jury finds James King guilty and Steve Harmon innocent.
- Steve’s screenplay never gives a definitive answer as to whether or not Steve had any involvement in the crime. It just shows his mother’s happiness and great relief that her son was declared “innocent.”
What are the 15 main events in Walter Dean Myers' novel Monster?
1. The novel opens showing Cell Block D of the Manhattan Detention Center with Steve Harmon on a cot listening to the sounds of the cell block at night. He is obviously very scared.
2. Steve talks to his attorney, Kathy O'Brien, about the case. He asks her if they are going to win and she replies that it all depends on his definition of win.
3. Petrocelli (the prosecutor), O'Brien (Steve's lawyer), and Asa Briggs (King's attorney) all give their opening statements.
4. Petrocelli begins with the defense of the trial- calling Jose Delgado, Salvatore Zinzi, Wendell Bolden, Detective Karyl, Osvaldo Cruz, Dr. James Moody, Lorelle Henry, and Richard "Bobo" Evans as witnesses for the state.
5. All defense lawyers cross-examine the witnesses called by the state prosecutor.
6. Asa Briggs begins her defense. She calls two witnesses: Dorothy Moore and George Nipping.
7. Both Petrocelli and O'Brien cross examine King's defense witnesses.
8. O'Brien calls Steve and his art teacher, Mr. Sawaski. They are both cross-examined by the other lawyers.
9. Throughout the novel, Steve questions himself as a person and a "monster".
10. Limited perspectives of those around him are given showing the lack of apathy for those on trial.
11. Steve has flashbacks to his life before the trial- time with friends, a conversation with King, and a moment with his brother where they talk about superheros.
12. The lawyers present their closing statements trying to persuade the jury to find the men either innocent of guilty based upon specific side.
13. Steve admits that the night before the verdict is given, he cannot sleep. He thinks that if he closes his eyes he will die.
14. James King is found guilty and sentenced to 25 years to life.
15. Steve Harmon is found innocent, his lawyer turns away from him when he goes to hug her, his father moves away, and Steve is left with the search to find out who he really is.
Why is Walter Dean Myers's novel titled Monster?
The word "monster" is used at key points throughout the novel, so it makes sense that it would be considered as a possible title for this novel. However, simply using a word multiple times in a text doesn't automatically qualify it as a good word for a book title.
A likely reason for why Myers titled the book as he did is because of the symbolism that the word has throughout the text. The story is filled with characters that Steve Harmon and readers are likely to think of as actual monsters. Monsters are things or people that should be feared, and Steve is surrounded by those kinds of men in jail. The courtroom itself could also be considered a monster, because the room ultimately holds Steve's fate in the balance. He doesn't look forward to going there. He fears the room and the looks that he gets from various people in it.
Most importantly, Steve continuously wrestles with whether or not he is a monster himself. The prosecution calls him a monster in the early parts of the book, and Steve is left to wonder about the validity of the statement, because he is indeed on trial for something horrible and surrounded by monstrously evil people. Readers see this emotional and mental turmoil when Steve writes the word "monster" over and over again in his journal. He even writes that he thinks he has the word tattooed on his forehead.
Why is Walter Dean Myers's novel titled Monster?
The novel is titled Monster because Steve Harmon, the novel's protagonist, is referred to as a monster by the prosecuting attorney at the beginning of the trial. This drastically affects Steve's perception of himself throughout the novel, and he begins to believe he is a monster. In the Prologue of the novel, Steve mentions that Petrocelli called him a monster and decides to title the screenplay he is writing Monster. Petrocelli essentially reduced Steve's identity to a sub-human level when she called him a monster, and Steve struggles with this title throughout the novel. Walter Dean Myers also examines how the criminal justice system strips defendants—particularity young minorities—of their identities and defines them as monsters instead of unique individuals. Steve feels he is a good person, but the jury, his father, and the attorneys view him differently. Steve continually questions his conscience and tries to distance himself from being identified as a monster.
What are the major events and conclusion of Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
In the novel Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, the protagonist, Steve Harmon, is telling his own story (therefore, first-person narration) in play form. He is incarcerated and awaiting trial. Steve's story includes the present day (the trial) and flashbacks that reveal to readers, indirectly, Steve's true character. The while Steve is the protagonist, the antagonist would seem to be the judicial system. Steve, being black, has already been labeled as guilty (many of the subordinate characters support this thought) and, therefore, deemed a monster. There is just as much internal conflict exemplified in the novel as external. Steve's internal conflict surrounds the fact that he no longer recognizes himself and questions if he truly is a monster.
At the conclusion of the novel, Steve is found innocent. Unofrtunatley, there are still people who question this- his lawyer (O'Brien) and his father (who has moved away because-according to Steve- he does not know who his son really is.)
What are the major events in the book Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
Three important events in the novel are planning the robbery, the robbery itself, and the verdicts.
The structure of the novel allows for considerable ambiguity, but the reader is led to understand that Steve listened to the robbery plan but did not actively participate in it. As Peaches played a very similar role, it remains unclear why she was not likewise charged.
The robbery itself is the decisive incident, especially because it goes wrong so badly. From the perspective of Nesbitt, the deceased victim, whether Steve participated along with Evans and King does not make a difference. The violent outcome, however, makes the crime and his alleged complicity more serious.
The verdicts—not guilty for Stevie and guilty for King—help bring closure. Absolute certainty is of course not possible, but the reader who feels sympathy for Stevie will likely feel relief that he is freed and that justice is achieved for the innocent victim.
What are the major events in the book Monster by Walter Dean Myers?
This question will have different answers to it, but I think you could find some level of common ground in what is articulated. I think one of the major events would be the trial, itself. Examining Stevie's state of mind during the trial through his own perceptions, the perspectives of the prosecutor and his own lawyer could also constitute as major events. A major event that is never really answered because it cannot would be whether Stevie actually committed the crime with which he is charged. Is he the "monster" as he is depicted? Certainly, the time he spends in his cell would constitute as another major event along with the verdict of the trial.
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