Monster Themes
The main themes in Monster are omnipresent violence, the dehumanizing effects of racial prejudice, the injustice of the justice system, and filmmaking and real life.
- Omnipresent violence: The novel considers the impact of one's environment on one's life. Steve's environment is one defined by constant violence.
- Racial prejudice: The racial prejudice of the criminal justice system becomes more clear as the novel progresses.
- The justice system: The course of Steve's trials reveals the ulterior motives and biases that shape the supposed search for justice.
- Filmmaking and real life: Steve's artistic urge for order is thwarted by the grim and confounding realities of the case.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: Omnipresent Violence
Steve Harmon is not a violent person. He is creative rather than destructive, and his instinct when he sees violence is to write a screenplay about it rather than to join in. Nonetheless, he has lived all his life in a violent society and has been unable to avoid the effects of this context, one of which is that many people see him as a violent monster.
In fact, Steve’s sensitivity and aversion to violence are unusual in the society Myers depicts....
(Read more)Themes: The Dehumanizing Effects of Racial Prejudice
Kathy O’Brien, Steve’s lawyer, tells him that half the jury will assume that he is guilty as soon as they see him because they automatically associate young Black men with criminal behavior. This has been precisely the attitude of Detective Karyl, who arrested Steve. Karyl says that he hopes Steve will receive the death penalty, a very extreme statement to make to a sixteen-year-old boy who was clearly not involved in any violence. Sandra...
(Read more)Themes: The Injustice of the Justice System
It is clear throughout the novel that the criminal justice system in which Steve is embroiled is far from being a dispassionate endeavor to ascertain the truth and ensure that justice is done. Instead, it is characterized by a series of dubious deals in which the worst criminals are able to escape punishment by lying and gaming the system. Steve’s innocence about how this system works is one of his chief disadvantages during the trial.
From the...
(Read more)Themes: Filmmaking and Real Life
The screenplay Steve is writing throughout the book, which is interlaced with his cinematic directions, blurs the distinction between art and life. However, even in the prologue, Steve makes the key distinction: a film has to have a plot and an ending, whereas life goes on formlessly and without apparent meaning. Steve’s continual insistence on directing his life as a movie is an attempt both to assume control of frightening events and to give...
(Read more)Themes: Justice
In Monsterby Walter Dean Myers, the theme of justice is explored through the trial of Steve Harmon, a sixteen-year-old African American accused of being an accomplice to murder. The novel delves into the complexities of the justice system, highlighting its flaws and biases, particularly against minority youths. Through Steve's perspective, the narrative examines how justice can be influenced by perceptions, prejudices, and the desire to win at all...
(Read more)Themes: Identity
The theme of identity is central to Monsterby Walter Dean Myers. The novel explores the protagonist Steve Harmon's struggle to understand who he is amidst the pressures of a racially biased justice system and his own internal conflicts. Steve's journey is marked by his attempts to reconcile his self-image with the labels imposed on him by society and the legal system, which sees him as a "monster." This theme is developed through Steve's...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
How does the author develop the theme of victimization in Monster?
The author develops the theme of victimization through Steve Harmon's experiences in the oppressive criminal justice system, highlighting his lack of agency and control over his fate. Steve becomes a victim due to his race and age, as his innocence is overshadowed by societal prejudices. The narrative emphasizes the emotional turmoil Steve endures, illustrating the broader issues of racism and corruption in the system, and showcasing how these factors contribute to his victimization.
What is the moral of Monster?
Morals which readers may draw from Monster include the danger of stereotyping and the likelihood that even the best people will get into trouble if they are placed in a bad environment.
What topics are explored in the novel Monster?
The novel explores themes of identity, the criminal justice system, fear, and morality. Steve Harmon grapples with his identity and self-perception, especially after being labeled a "monster." The narrative critiques the justice system's corruption, highlighting plea bargains and defendants' helplessness. Fear permeates the jail setting, impacting mental stability and influencing trial testimonies. The novel also delves into moral dilemmas, questioning truth, right versus wrong, and personal redemption.
Key Themes and Title Significance in Walter Dean Myers' Monster
Walter Dean Myers' novel Monster explores key themes of identity, justice, and societal perception through the trial of Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old accused of participating in a robbery and murder. The novel, formatted as a screenplay, highlights Steve's internal struggle with being labeled a "monster" by the prosecution and society. The title reflects the symbolic weight of the term as Steve navigates his fear, guilt, and the harsh realities of the criminal justice system while questioning his own morality and identity.
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