We felt that the book put the largest emphasis on the idea of image and more importantly, self-image. When the trial begins, the prosecutor refers to Steve as a “monster” and promises to prove it to the jury. Since we were hearing the story from Steve’s point of view, we had a direct window into how he saw himself.
The title “Monster” seemed to represent how Steve saw himself after being put through this ordeal and the juvenile justice system-as something other than human. He tells us that his experience thus far has changed him already and he begins to wonder if he’s becoming more like the other inmates. he even contemplates suicide at one point. Even after being found not guilty, Steve never really seemed to shake the idea that he may in fact be a monster and that the prosecutor was right. Perhaps it was poor decisions, perhaps it was choosing to acquaint himself with actual criminals, or perhaps it’s out of his control and he was destined to become a monster.
While it’s unlikely he will be able to erase the mark his time in prison has left, we do hear about an interaction between Steve and his lawyer that leaves us with hope that he’ll be able to recover. When they are talking in his cell, Steve opens his shirt and asks Ms. O’Brien to examine his heart as he knows in his heart he is not a bad person.
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