Dehumanization and Racism
Monster depicts the murder trial of Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old black kid from Harlem. Steve is accused of being an accomplice to the murder of an immigrant shopkeeper named Mr. Nesbitt, the result of a botched robbery. Even though Steve’s alleged role in the murder is minimal, the prosecutor sees Steve only as a “monster,” completely disregarding the rest of his life and identity. In a similar fashion, Steve finds during…
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Lies and Self-Interest
Steve Harmon’s trial involves numerous witnesses, most of whom are themselves either convicted or alleged criminals. Although the purpose of the court case is presumably to uncover the truth about the murder, every witness tells a different story, and each lawyer is angling for a different outcome that will benefit their career. In light of all of these half-truths and selfish motivations, Steve’s account of his trial suggests that the manner in which the…
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Endemic Violence
Although Steve is a sensitive person with seemingly no inclination to violence, he is being tried for a violent crime, and he’s placed in a violent prison to await his sentencing. Non-violent Steve is thus thrust into violent environments and scenarios, demonstrating the manner in which Harlem’s violence absorbs even those who have no wish to participate in it. The novel’s depiction of both the streets of Harlem and the prison suggests that violence in…
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Injustice
The story of Steve’s arrest, imprisonment, and court case suggests that absurdity, malpractice, and general apathy are pervasive in the justice system. In part because he is a young black man, Steve feels rushed through the system by people who do not actually care whether he is guilty or innocent, but simply assume his guilt and want a maximum punishment. Steve’s narrative ultimately depicts a broken justice system in which injustice is the most…
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