As a young boy, I had a fear for the typical monsters a 5-year old kid has in mind before going to bed. The book “Monster,” by Walter Dean Myers, contains a monster, except this monster takes the shape of a human. Or is he really a monster? The novel “Monster” is characterized as a young adult drama. This novel is written in the form of a film script by protagonist Steve Harmon. Steve Harmon is a 16-year old African-American male who is being accused of a crime, a robbery and murder at a local liquor store, that involved three other males. Throughout the novel, these four males are labeled “monsters” for their horrific actions that lead to the death of 55-year old store owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt. Through the use of historical context, the theme, and the symbols within the text, the audience is vividly portrayed the clear message Walter Dean Myers wants the world to witness. To begin with, the …show more content…
Acknowledging what events took place at the time the book was written and understanding the author’s position helps the reader mutually connect with the text. This particular novel was written and published in 1999. Additionally, the novel takes place in the state of New York, though it is directed more towards the ghetto side of Harlem. Harlem in the 20th century was a poverty stricken area with high crime rates and violence. An area where the violence, crime, and gang activity poured down upon adolescents making it difficult for them to prosper in life. “Growing up in a community with gangs, dangerous streets, discouraging role models, confused social expectations, and few connections to outsiders