The following quotations are important at various points in the story:(Harper
Tempest, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 1999):
1.) It is about being alone when you are not really alone and
about being scared all the time.
(pg. 4 - This is Steves first commentary as he opens his journal in jail.)
2.) The incredible story of how one guys life was turned around
by a few events and how might spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Told as it actually happened!
(pg. 9 - Here is Steve presenting his opening credits in the format of
the heroic presentation of Star Wars.)
3.) You have to believe in yourself.
(pg. 24 - Miss OBrien told Steve this so that he would present himself
to the jury better.)
4.) I guess making you live is part of the punishment.
(p. 59 - Steve says this as a way of explaining why the guards take away
the prisoners shoelaces and belts.)
5.) All they can do is put me in jail, he said. They cant
touch my soul.
(pg. 89 - Acie, one of the other inmates makes this commentary about life
as a prisoner.)
6.) I know that in my heart I am not a bad person.
(pg. 93 - Steve makes this comment in his journal as part of his lies
to himself.)
7.) If you give up, theyll give up on you.
(pg. 99 - OBrien says this to caution Steve that the jury is
judging him by the appearance he presents.)
8.) Think about all the tomorrows of your life.
(pg. 205 - Steve wants to tell his little brother Jerry this piece
of advice.)
9.) Truth is truth. Its what you know to be right. / Truth is
what you gave up when you were out there on the streets.
(pp. 221-222 - Steve makes the first comment while another inmate makes
the second. Steves is ironic while the other inmates is realistic.)
10.) Wheres my life? Wheres my damned life?
(pg. 222 - One of the inmates makes this sad observation of his existence.)
Other elements that are present in this novel are symbols and metaphors.
Symbols are the use of some unrelated idea to represent something
else. Metaphors are direct comparisons made between characters and ideas.
There are many symbols and metaphors used by the author such as:
1.) Steve tries to hide his head under a blanket to avoid going
to the first day of trial. The blanket symbolizes comfort and safety.
2.) Steve systematically writes the word monster all over his notebook. His attorney takes the pencil from him and just as systematically crosses out all the words. She tells him, You have to believe in yourself. The word monster becomes a symbol of who Steve believes he is.
3.) In one of Steves flashbacks, he is throwing rocks with his friend, Tony. When he accidentally hits a young girl, he willing gives up Tony as the thrower of the rocks by yelling, Run! when the tough guy comes after them. His actions are a metaphor of the witnesses at his trial who are all willing to lie to avoid punishment.
4.) The gruesome pictures of Mr. Nesbitts body (which to Steve become black and white and flashed in increasingly contrasting and grainy format until they are hardly recognizable) symbolize the reality of Steves situation.
5.) The use of cartoon figures to indicate the People rest their case is symbolic of how much of a joke trials like this are.
6.) It is a cry for help when an inmate says, Ive spent half of my life in the joint, man. Wheres my life? Wheres my damned life? Its followed by the flushing of the toilet. That symbolizes the idea that his life went down the toilet.
7.) The camera shows the judge preparing the jury for its deliberations. The camera cuts to the portrait of George Washington, the New York State flag, the American flag, the motto over the desk, and a wall mural, even Steves mother. Then the voice-over repeats, Then you must return a verdict of Guilty of felony murder, over and over. This all symbolizes the American justice system and how powerful it can be.
8.) The films that Steve is making are symbolic of his inner struggle.
|
Cite this page:
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on Monster".
TheBestNotes.com.
|