Aaron Glidden, Reagan Gloystein, Ben Shavers, Joshua Kim, McCall Daniel Group 4

Pre-AP English Literature and Composition MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET

Title: ___________________________________Author: _________________________________Date of Publication: _______________________Genre: __________________________________

Biographical Information about the Author

- As a young man, Myers struggled with a speech impediment that caused his teachers and classmates to think of him as unintelligent.

- He was called a “monster” by his classmates.

- He grew up in a drug troubled area and was born in the great depression.

-Working as a construction worker, Myers would write stories at night just like Steve does.

Historical Information about the period of publication- “Monster” was nominated for the 1999 national book award for young people’s literature.

- The world await the Y2K bug.

- In 1999, the world’s population reached 6 billion people.

- In 1999 the bluetooth technology was first introduced.Characteristics of the Genre

- realistic fiction- young adult

The screenplay tells most of Steve's story—detailing his past (including his neighborhood relationships and film class experiences) and the trial proceedings. His journal provides us the screenplay's narrative by giving us a sense of Steve's struggle, of the fear and loneliness he is coping with, and his complicated feelings toward his family. Towards the end of the story, Steve is a different person from the kid he was before the fateful afternoon when the cops showed up at his home.

Plot Summary

Monster is introduced by a journal written by Steve Harmon- A 16-year-old boy on trial for murder. At night in jail Steve tells us the best time to cry is at night when no one can hear him due to the screaming of other inmates. Steve learns not to show weakness in prison in order to survive, and he feels he does not belong there. He constantly tries to convince himself he is not a monster- the word the prosecutor called him. As we read on, we find out that after being arrested for his alleged presence during the crime he was accused of, Steve is faced with several accusations questioning his innocence. Steve is placed in jail and is given a defense attorney named Kathy O’ Brien. O’Brien was unsure the jury would see the difference between he and all the other bad guys, which was her main goal for proving Steve’s innocence. As the trial continues, Bobo, a friend of king who took part in the crime, is introduced to the court and testified that King and Steve Harmon were involved in the crime as well. Many other witnesses come front to testify and bring in more information to help the jury reach a verdict. As the trial was coming to an end, Steve decided to testify, stating that he took no part in the robbery and murder. By the end of the trial, the relationship between Steve and his parents grew worse, and his father became more and more distant. In the end, the jury reached a verdict- King is guilty and Steve is not guilty. In Steve’s last journal, he states he is hurt by O’Brien turning away from his hug, and summarizes what happens to the people involved in the robbery.

Aaron Glidden, Reagan Gloystein, Ben Shavers, Joshua Kim, McCall Daniel Group 4

Describe the author’s style An example that demonstrates that styleThe author produces a style that demonstrates an unfair and cruel world involving racism and prejudice by using forms of figurative language and an unusual presentation of the storyline. One main form of figurative language, imagery, takes a huge part in the story’s setting and plot. In many events throughout the text, the main character expresses specific details about the setting and emotions which allow the reader to picture an event taking place. The author also uses descriptive and strong word diction to appeal to the reader’s senses. Imagery and diction both bring life to the text and demonstrate the emotional experiences in the story. Another aspect of style the author used was an unusual presentation of the storyline. TO make the story more interesting, the author wrote the story as a movie, including the camera effects and film edits. The author also includes personal journals written in 1 person by the main character to bring an emotional aspect and allow the reader to understand the main characters thoughts and feelings throughout the story. Many flashbacks are included as well, which are used to compare how Steve’s life was before and how it was in the present. In conclusion, the author’s use of figurative language and unusual presentation creates a unique yet entertaining style.

Example of Figurative language/Imagery- “The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help” (Myers 1)Example of Unusual Presentation- “FADE IN: INTERIOR: Early morning in CELL BLOCK, MANHATTAN DETENTION CENTER. Camera goes slowly down grim, gray corridor. There are sounds of inmates yelling from cell to cell; much of it is obscene. Most of the voices are clearly Black or Hispanic. Camera stops and slowly turn toward a cell” ( Myers 7).

Memorable QuotesQuotation Significance1. “The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I’ll write it down in the notebook they let me keep. I’ll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me-Monster”(Myers 5).2. “Sunset said he liked the name of the screenplay. He said when he gets out, he will have the word tattooed on his forehead. I feel like I already have it tattooed on mine”(Myers 61).3. “Half of those jurors, no matter what they said when we questioned them when we picked the jury, believed you were guilty the moment they laid eyes on you. You’re young, you’re black, and you’re on trial. What else do they need to know?”(Myers 79).4. “…When the jury left, Miss O’Brien took them out and put them on the table in front of us. She made notes about them, but I could tell she wanted me to look at them”(Myers 91).5. “Steve spreads his arms to hug O’Brien, but she stiffens and turns to pick up her papers from the table before them”(Myers 276).

1. It is an attention grabber. Readers want to know why someone like Petrocelli would judge a boy she hardly knows. 2. It shows how people can relate to each other because a person can share the same experiences. Steve Harmon is being accused of a crime he did not commit.3. It highlights the discrimination that was among the jurors back in that time.4. It shows that Miss O’Brien doubted Steve from the start.5. Steve believes that Miss O’Brien has wondered who he really is since the trial started.

Aaron Glidden, Reagan Gloystein, Ben Shavers, Joshua Kim, McCall Daniel Group 4

CharactersName Role in the Story Significance Adjectives

1.) Steve Harmon:

2.) Kathy O’Brien:

3.) Sandra Petrocelli:

4.) James King:

5.) Richard “Bobo” Evans:

6.) Osvaldo Cruz:

7.) Lorelle Henry:

8.) José Delgado:

9.) George Nipping:

10.) Alguinaldo

Steve Harmon is the main character in the novel, and the story is based around him. He is on trial for felony murder and is forced to face the jury.

Steve’s defense attorney who makes sure she distances him from the other defendants as way of achieving a not guilty verdict

the Assistant District Attorney who prosecutes the case against Steve and James King.

He is the other man on trial for murder. Was involved in the murder of Mr. Nesbitt.

He is the other young man accused of being in the store at the time of the murder. He makes a deal with the prosecution to testify against King and Steve to get a lighter sentence.

Another participant in the crime. His job was to stand outside and “trip up” anyone who tries to catch them after they rob the store.

Grandmother in the drugstore at the time of the murder. Testifies in court.

He worked in the drugstore and found Mr. Nesbitt’s body.

Testifies that James King is left-handed, and there was no way the gunshot wound could look the way it did if it was made by someone left-handed.

Steve is portrayed as the “stereotypical African American boy”, and the prominent racial theme relies on this portrayal. Also every story needs a main character.

Being Steve’s defense attorney, her role is essential to the story. She also helps Steve get a not guilty verdict.

Called Steve a monster and really messed with his feelings. Also gave the book its name.

He was eventually found guilty and allowed Steve to walk free.

Testifying against Steve and James King was a very big event in terms of plot, and had a serious effect on the story.

Cruz is a key witness for Steve’s trial and testifies under oath.

Says that she saw two men there and picks James King from a handful of pictures. Her testimony used in order to come to a verdict.

He was the first to see any evidence regarding the crime, and also noticed the missing cigarettes which played an important part in the case.

He provided some evidence against James King during the trial.

The story revolves around his

conflicted, upset, fearful, worried

withdrawn, blunt, straight-forward, emotionless

brutal, hard-working, zealous

shady, dangerous, suspicious, evil

dirty, deceiving, deceitful, desperate

young, deceitful

important, helpful

honest, shocked

logical, truthful

honest,

Aaron Glidden, Reagan Gloystein, Ben Shavers, Joshua Kim, McCall Daniel Group 4

Nesbitt: The victim of the crime. death, and is the focal point of the story.

hardworking, dead

Setting Significance of opening scene

The majority of the book, Monster, written by Walter Dean Myers, takes place mainly in the courthouse location in Manhattan, New York. With it being in Manhattan, the plot is placed back in the 1990’s when racism was common. A fourth of the books portion is placed in the Manhattan Detention Center.

The opening scene starts with the explanation of life in prison. It has Steve Harmon describing what happens during each time in the day. He also briefly foreshadows what is to come in the trial ahead. This is significant because it sets a serious tone for the chapters to come.

Significance of ending/closing scene

The closing scene in Monster does a very good job at summing up the end of the story. It starts five months after the trial was held and tells about how he had begun self-filming. He does it to document his life so people will be able to see who he really is and he also talks about how his father’s view on him has changed. This is significant because it displays how much the trial and his time spent in jail has changed him and his relationships with his friends and family.

Symbols

Steve’s Journal: The journal that Steve writes in represents his mind and what he is thinking throughout the story. It gives an insight to his thought process and gives the reader a feel for what he is feeling all throughout the trial.

The Courtroom Paintings/ Flags: At the end of the book the camera pans to look at a picture of George Washington. This picture represents the truth that is about to be proven in the case. The camera then focuses on the American Flag. The flag foreshadows the freedom that is about to be bestowed upon Steve Harmon.

Possible Themes

Justice: Justice is very prominent throughout the whole book. During the whole trial the question of Steve’s justice is asked and is never really known until the very end of the book. At the end of Monster Steve’s justice finally comes in as not guilty. This represents the theme that justice always prevails in any circumstance.

Isolation: Monster constantly shows Steve isolated all throughout the book. He had no friends in prison just a few short lived conversations. Throughout the trial not even his own lawyer thought he was going to win. After the trial Steve is still isolated as a pariah as many people still questioned his integrity which caused him to keep to himself thus showing the theme of isolation.