Steve is a young, Black male living in the inner city who cant help but be exposed to bad elements in his neighborhood. The lifestyle in these neighborhoods can often overcome all the good things parents, even in a tough neighborhood, teach their children. Steve is no different. Hes exposed to people to whom hes attracted, because they seem strong and tough. They are men to him, and hes at an age where he sorely wants to be recognized as a man.
Unfortunately, hes not old enough to understand that these guys are not role models for a good, decent life. He respects his film class teacher, but he doesnt emulate him. He respects his father, but he doesnt emulate him. He respects a man like Mr. Nesbitt, but he doesnt emulate him. Instead, he emulates young men who are on the path to nowhere, and that has the biggest impact of all on Steve.
The ultimate reality is that hes only sixteen, but hes old enough to make choices that impact not only on him, but on those he loves and on innocent people like Mr. Nesbitt. He goes through every stage of trying to justify the decisions he made, but in the end, he must live with them whether hes found not guilty or guilty. He was part of the crime, but the only time he ends up doing is in his own heart and mind.
In the end, the reader is left wondering if the choices he made that
have changed his life so much will lead to a better citizen or to one
who gives in to becoming the monster the Prosecutor thought he was all
along.
As his defense attorney, Kathy stands by Steve and defends him to the best of her ability. That is her job as a defense attorney, and she shouldnt defend him based on her perceptions of his guilt or innocence. Of course, that doesnt mean she cant have a personal opinion about her client. Its obvious throughout the trial that she wont allow herself to get close to Steve, and in the end, her body language, facial expressions, and lack of commentary indicates that she thinks hes guilty.
She is obviously a great attorney especially because she was able to
control the trial to the point that she could separate Steve from the
worst offenders in the crime. However, her revulsion at his not guilty
verdict is what ultimately affects him the most and will trouble him for
a long time, maybe even for the rest of his life.
As the district attorney, it is her job to put the monsters on trial and prove their guilt. She is very good at her job, even though OBrien beats her. She knows that often it is necessary to use other criminals to testify against those on trial, and to obtain their testimony, she offers them reduced sentences. However, in this capacity, she is symbolic of the weaknesses of the American justice system.
It is evident that, even though reader knows that Steve was at least
knowledgeable of the crime, he could have gone to prison for a much longer
time than those who had been more deeply involved. It is also evident
that in other cases, innocent people on trial could end up in jail, because
of perjured testimony of an inmate seeking a reduced sentence. It makes
a mockery of the idea of a fair trial. This also makes what Miss Petrocelli
does seem almost like a game where winning or losing is all that matters.
These three young men are obviously criminals and deserve the sentences they receive. However, like Miss Petrocelli, they are symbolic of the weaknesses of the American justice system. According to Steves memories, they are guilty, but their willingness to testify against the others in the crime indicates that lying could take place and the innocent could end up with greater sentences than the others who are more deeply involved. Its a breakdown in the system, and one that could lead to disaster.
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Cite this page:
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on Monster".
TheBestNotes.com.
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