As is the case with many successful literary works, Monster is richly layered in its thematic concerns. The prominent theme, however, is revealed through Steve Harmon's struggle to be viewed as an individual by his family, his attorney, and the judicial system, instead of a stereotyped young African American thug or "throwaway" person.
Steve's diary and screenplay reveal that he understands the odds are against him, and his recollection of a discussion with his teacher,...
As is the case with many successful literary works, Monster is richly layered in its thematic concerns. The prominent theme, however, is revealed through Steve Harmon's struggle to be viewed as an individual by his family, his attorney, and the judicial system, instead of a stereotyped young African American thug or "throwaway" person.
Steve's diary and screenplay reveal that he understands the odds are against him, and his recollection of a discussion with his teacher, Mr. Sawicki, about predictability is meant to deliver this truth home about how empowered individuals consider his demographic. Because Steve does not recount the details of the crime in his notes, there is ambiguity about his actual role in the robbery/murder, but readers are meant to understand that Steve might have been forced to act as a look out for the robbery, if he was involved at all. His own attorney is skeptical of his innocence and turns away from him at his acquittal.
Steve's humanity is denied by almost everyone who surrounds him. His father communicates his disappointment and distances himself emotionally and physically. The perpetrators of the crime attempt to implicate him to shift blame from themselves. The judge is portrayed as mostly disengaged, as if this type of trial has become so routine and predictable that it is of little interest to him. Steve emerges from the novel, not as a monster, but as a victim of the disinterest and dismissal of the people that surround him.
No comments:
Post a Comment