I think a large part of the significance of using the term "monster" throughout the book is that it constantly reminds readers of the internal conflict happening within Steve Harmon. He wrestles with his own identity throughout the book. At times, he believes that he is a good kid. Other times, he admits he isn't perfect but knows he is not on the level of some of the guys in jail with him. Despite all of that, Steve knows that people do think of him as a monster, and he wonders if they are correct. The identity struggle is at the forefront of his mind, and the repeated usage of the word keeps it at the forefront of a reader's mind as well. Just like Steve wrestles with his identity, readers are also left to ponder the definition of that word and wrestle with whether or not Steve actually is the monster that the prosecuting attorney tries to paint him as.
Walter Dean Myers titles the novel Monster after the name that prosecuting attorney, Sandra Petrocelli, calls Steve Harmon at the beginning of the story. In the Prologue, Steve Harmon explains the terrible situation he is in and expresses his wish to make a movie about his experience being on trial for his life. He says he'll write his screenplay down in a notebook and "call it what the lady who is prosecutor called me. Monster" (8). Throughout the novel, Steve struggles with his identity and the fact that he is accused of being involved in the robbery and murder of Aguinaldo Nesbitt. Steve notices that he looks similar to the other inmates and questions his values and morals. Myers explores how the judicial system impersonally judges minorities and portrays them as "monsters," rather than human beings. At the end of the novel, Steve is found not guilty and turns to hug his attorney, Kathy O'Brien. Instead of hugging Steve, O'Brien distances herself and turns away of from him. Steve Harmon questions what made her turn from him because she looked at him like he was a "monster."
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