47 Selection Review #1 Monster Pages 1 - 88 1. Describe the unusual structure of Monster. Fill in the T-chart to show what types of infor- mation we can draw from each type of narrative used. Monster has an unusual structure in which the story goes back and forth from Steve’s journal entries to a movie screenplay about his situation. Some possible answers to the T-chart are shown on the next page. Movie Screenplay Steve’s Journal Entries _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 2. Why has Steve chosen to tell about his experience in the form of a movie? Does Steve be- lieve he is the “monster” in the movie’s title? Explain. Steve’s life seems so unreal to him that he feels like he is in a movie. He is having a hard time accepting his situation, and imagining it as part of a movie helps him to process what is going on. Since he is learning to make films, he decides that a movie script is a good way to show his life. He gives it the title “Monster” be- cause this is what the prosecutor called him. Steve does not want to think of himself as a monster. He believes that he is a “good person,” but he sometimes has his doubts. He notices that he is similar in many ways to other young men in the detention center, and this disturbs him. 3. Use the T-chart below. In the “Innocent” column, write things you have learned about Steve Harmon that suggest he is innocent. In the “Guilty” column, list things that lead you to believe he may be guilty of participating in the robbery. The lists can include personality traits, events, quotes by characters in the story, etc. Some possible answers for the T-chart are shown on the next page: Innocent Gulty _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ continued... 48 When you have completed the T-chart, state whether you believe Steve is innocent or guilty based on what you know about him so far. Tell why you believe he is innocent or guilty. Opinions as to whether Steve is innocent or guilty will vary. However, you must make sure that you can give reasons to support your position. 4. Explain the role of each of the following at the trial: Kathy O’Brien, Sandra Petrocelli, and Asa Briggs. Kathy O’Brien is Steve Harmon’s lawyer. She is trying to prove that he is innocent. Sandra Petrocelli works for the state of New York as the prosecutor in the case. She is trying to prove that both Steve Harmon and James King are guilty of felony murder because they participated in the robbery. Asa Briggs is James King’s lawyer. He is trying to show that King is innocent. 5. Explain how a movie is similar to a courtroom trial. Why is it important for both to avoid “predictable endings”? A movie and a courtroom trial are similar in that both are being judged. The people who view a film are like a jury because they make judgments about it. A movie should not have a predictable ending because viewers will not want to watch if they think they already know how it will end. A jury in a courtroom is responsible for judging whether the ac- cused is guilty or not. The jury members must not decide on a person’s guilt or innocence until they have heard all the evidence. Possible answers to Question #1: Movie Screenplay Steve’s Journal Entries What others say about Steve What Steve thinks and says about himself What happens in the courtroom Steve’s feelings, thoughts, and fears Events leading up to the trial (flashbacks) What Steve says and does What Steve thinks about, remembers, and imagines Possible answers to Question #3: Innocent Gulty Steve is terrified in prison and does not seem Steve spent time with King and Osvaldo, who mean or tough. pressured him to prove himself by taking part He tells a fellow prisoner he is innocent. in a robbery. In the flashbacks, Steve does not tell Osvaldo Bobo Evans told police that Steve was the or King that he will participate in the robbery. lookout man for the robbery. None of Steve’s journal entries state that he The flashback of the rock-throwing incident was involved in the robbery. suggests that Steve does not always take re- sponsibility for his actions and is not entirely truthful. 49 Selection Review #2 Monster Pages 89 - 200 1. How does Asa Briggs try to defend James King’s innocence even though several witnesses tie him to the crime? How does Kathy O’Brien try to prove Steve’s innocence? Briggs tries to defend King’s innocence by pointing out that most of the witnesses against him are untrust- worthy criminals. He reminds the jury that both Osvaldo Cruz and Bobo Evans have admitted to their part in the robbery, and both benefit from testifying against King. Briggs hopes that jurors will decide they cannot be sure that the testimony against King is true. O’Brien also stresses the fact that the witnesses are unreliable. In addition, she points out that the evidence for Steve’s involvement in the crime is very vague. For example, although Bobo claims that Steve was the lookout, he admits that Steve gave no report or signal of any kind to him or James King. 2. What evidence in this section of the story suggests that Steve was the lookout for the robbery? What evidence suggests that he was not? Evidence that suggests that Steve was the lookout include: 1) Bobo Evans says that Steve was the lookout for the robbery and that some of the money was supposed to be shared with him; 2) Steve admits in his journal that he went into the drugstore; 3) some of his actions, such as running away when he heard people talking about the crime, seem to show he felt guilty. Evidence that suggests Steve was not the lookout include: 1) Steve claims that he is innocent and didn’t do anything; 2) he did not give any report or signal to King and Evans when he left the store; 3) it seems he never received a share of the stolen money. 3. Steve and Ernie both claim to be innocent. Use the Venn diagram to show similarities and differences in their claims. Based on what you know about their cases, do you think either person is innocent? Explain your answer. Some possible answers for the Venn diagram are are shown on the next page. Ernie’s Claim Steve’s Claim to Innocence Both to Innocence _____________________ _____________________ ______________________ ____________________ _____________________ ______________________ ____________________ _____________________ ______________________ _____________________ ____________________ ___________________ _________________ _______________ continued... 50 Ernie’s Claim Steve’s Claim to Innocence Both to Innocence Ernie planned to carry Both say they are inno- Steve never planned out a robbery but was cent because they “didn’t to take part in a murder, unable to actually finish do anything.” but the murder happened the job. during a crime that he was involved in. Opinions about Ernie’s and Steve’s innocence may vary. Make sure you are able to support your answer. 4. Identify the central conflict in Monster. Suggest a way in which the conflict might be re- solved. The most important conflict is Steve’s inner conflict. He struggles to believe he is a good person, but realizes he is not very different from the other men in the detention center. The prosecutor calls him a monster, and other people turn away from his gaze. Even his parents do not know what to think of him. Steve’s greatest need is to believe in himself, but he always depends on the approval of others. The conflict might be resolved in several different ways. Perhaps new testimony or evidence might prove that Steve’s visit to the drugstore was completely innocent. Steve would be ac- quitted and no longer be looked upon as monster, and would begin to feel better about himself. Another possibility is that Steve could resolve his conflict by admitting to his part in the robbery and taking responsibility for his guilt. 51 Selection Review #3 Monster Pages 201 - 281 1. Why does Miss O’Brien want Steve to testify in court? After the testimony the jury members have heard, Miss O’Brien feels sure that they believe King is guilty. She believes that they will view Steve as guilty also unless he can separate himself from King in their eyes. O’Brien believes that one way to make this happen is for Steve to speak for himself. She believes the jurors want him to tell his own story so that they can make their own decision about him. 2. Why do you think the jurors decided that Steve was innocent? Do you think his testimony helped him? Why or why not? The jury may have declared Steve innocent because the jurors were not sure whether he was involved in the robbery. As Miss O’Brien pointed out, even the witnesses who said Steve was the lookout had not spoken with him about the robbery, never saw him give a signal, and admitted he wasn’t in the store during the robbery. He did not receive any of the money and did not join Bobo Evans and King for a snack after the robbery. Opinions about Steve’s testimony may vary, but you must be able to support your opinion.