¶ … character in Monster (Steve) different from you?
The main character of Monster is a sixteen-year-old resident of Harlem who is accused of being the 'look-out' during the murder of a convenience store owner. He has little hope for his future, and has had few opportunities to rise above his difficult personal circumstances. He is an African-American young man who has suffered racism and oppression for most of his life. Even before he was accused of the crime, the reader is left little doubt that 'the deck was stacked against' Steve.
In contrast to Steve, I come from a supportive environment of friends and family, and do not feel as if I have to be violent or participate in violence to be accepted by those who care about me or to protect myself. I am not economically insecure like Steve, and perhaps most importantly, I have reason to hope that I will have a future that will be better than my current circumstances. Although I have experienced discrimination as a female, I have also not had my self-esteem battered by racism like Steve, nor have I been traumatized in an environment like the prison where Steve finds himself in the novel.
How is the title of Monster misleading?
The prosecutor calls Steve a 'monster,' implying that Steve is without pity, remorse, or understanding. However, because the reader sees the events of the book transpire through Steve's consciousness, the reader understands that Steve is an intelligent, morally complex individual. The reader is left with a sense that, had Steve been born into different circumstances, he would never have stood accused of murder -- if only Steve was poor, black, and living in a racist society, this quiet young man who loves film would have been able to show his true gifts to the world. It is the environment where Steven finds himself that is monstrous, not Steve.
Works Cited
Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. New York: HarperCollins, 1999.
He simply cannot escape these expectations. So, when Robert DeNiro takes on a comedic role, such as the role of the potential father-in-law in Meet the Parents, the moment he comes on the screen, the audience is aware that he is Robert DeNiro, in addition to the character that is being portrayed. Therefore, his character can do things that other characters could not. Who but Robert DeNiro could portray
Native Mythology to North America The Native American Mythologies are myths of lessons that every man can apply in his daily life. Many have misconceptions that Native American mythologies are just stories that are capable of entertaining the listeners. Once a person heard of a Native American myth, he can conclude that they are not just simply stories. Instead, they are able to serve us guidance and inspiration, brought by
Beauty & the Disney Beast "Beauty and the Beast" was never really about beauty or ugliness. It has always been about admiration; the reaching out and obtaining of a kind of wealth that otherwise seemed beyond comprehension. Not surprisingly, of course, since ugliness cannot be rewarded in its own right -- or at least it couldn't be prior to the advent of reality TV -- the creature gifted with the keys
Blade Runner: A Marriage of Noir and Sci-Fi Blade Runner is a 1982 film noir/science fiction film set in 2019 that depicts a world that is threatened by human advancements in technology. In the film, robotic humanoids become self-aware and decide that it is within their right to live past their predetermined expiration dates and set out to find a way to live among humans and defy scientists, whom arbitrarily decided
Jim Henson -- Career and Influence Jim Henson is one of the most famous originators of children's entertainment in history; at the same time, he remains one of the most underrated and under-appreciated artists (Collins, 1998; Eide & Abrams, 2005). That is largely because he is primarily regarded as an entertainer when, in fact, he actually contributed much more than merely entertainment to the world. On one hand, his recognition as
Currently the DSM-IV refers to both these as antisocial personality disorder with the following criteria: A. Pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15 as indicated by at least three of the following: 1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behavior. 2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now