Monster by Walter Dean Myers Literary Analysis Essay Example

Steve Harmon is a black 16-year-old male who is on trial for accessory to robbery, which led to the murder of a drug store owner. Steve carries a journal with him; however, no details reveal him to be the “monster.” This captivating crime story is well displayed through Myers’ stylistic writing. Walter Dean Myers writes Monster in a play-like format that mesmerizes the reader with its imagery tactics. The use of the desperate tone is used throughout the novel.  

The structure of a book can make or break it. No structure or poor structure can take a well-written piece and turn it into a mess of details and information. In Monster, the structure is not seen very often in other novels but by taking this risk, the author has created an almost play-like structure that effectively grasps the reader's attention. The author also uses the structure to effectively put immense detail into each page without boring the reader. This play-like structure makes Monster feel like a portable movie, Myers uses director’s notes to describe the details of the scene like being in the front row at the theatre. These director’s notes take the reader through the text in such a way that it almost feels like he is writing a diary or journal and at times it feels like he is writing the script for a film. Additionally, the font itself looks like the handwriting of Steve; this unorthodox font takes a different approach than the regular Times New Roman seen in most other texts. Effective or not?  

Myers uses a desperate tone in Monster. Through the early conversation Steve shows he is in fact desperate. When he says, “I’m Scared” to his attorney at the beginning and again throughout the trial, when he seeks reassurance from his attorney. This tone, which was created by Steve’s trial, makes the reader feel the weight and burden of being sentenced 25-Life. This burden over his head gives Steve little to no choice. With no options he starts to try to find answers. The need to find solutions to solve his problems within the court room and in the prison itself, and not being able to find these solutions, he starts to seek answers anywhere. Steve goes on to write in his journal "I hate this place. I hate this place. I can't write it enough times to make it look the way I feel. I hate, hate, hate this place!” This effectively advances the desperate tone that has been composed throughout the text. 

The whole trial is obviously about whether Steve Harmon is guilty or not and there is a point to be made for both sides. Many could say that he is guilty by association because he hangs around shady people including James King, Osvaldo Cruz, and Freddy Alou. Steve thought those shady dudes were tough. He admits to himself "I had looked at him and wanted to be tough like him" referring to James King. This does not paint him as a culprit, in fact many other accounts refer to him as a good person, unlike these three. His teacher Mr. Sawicki, calls him "talented, bright, and compassionate" and Steve himself writes in his journal "I'm just not a bad person," and proceeds to reassure himself through his words, "I know that in my heart I am not a bad person.” These personal accounts give the reader a window into how Steve’s self-perception  

Ultimately, Myers uses a desperate tone and uses a play-like structure which gives the perception of being in the front row at a theatre. These combined elements truly make Monster something that is unlike the other books that can be selected. I would give Monster 4 out of 5 eggs in the basket but without the time crunch I was on, if I truly could sit down and enjoy the intricate details then it could have been 5 out of 5 eggs in the basket. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys court cases or movies in general.