Davis+LENS2+Monster

Mary Kate Davis Lit. for Young Adults Dr. Sherry February 7, 2012 Critical Response: Monster Myers creates a wonderful commentary in several different issues with his book //Monster.// He forces the readers to consider issues such as race, economic and social status, and even age. Myers uses these elements to get the reader thinking about how our society views the ranges that go along with these topics. Steve Harmon’s own lawyer states, “You’re young, you’re Black, and you’re on trial. What else do they need to know?” (79). It is as though Myers is questioning that in our modern society, is this really the only criteria we deem necessary to judge people on a daily basis.

I grew up in a rather closed community with very little minority. It was only when I reached high school that I really began to notice people my age who were of another ethnicity. I’m not proud of it, but I did distance myself from them in a way because I felt they were different but didn’t really understand it. In coming to a college community and being more exposed to diversity, I’ve let go of the… confusion of difference but still recognize its presence within me.

This book shows that a lot of America still has this small town mentality. By putting these constraints on Steve, we assume the jury has prejudged him. Although that through the evidence shown the jury finds him not guilty, by seeing what is in Steve’s mind most readers would not be so sure of his innocence. I think this book speaks well of our justice system. It is based on proving people guilty and assuming innocence. Though the readers know Steve has reservations about his involvement, the jury doesn’t and can’t base a decision off of that.

I really think this book ask the reader to make a strong attempt at critical thinking. After all, we are left to make our own decision about Steve Harmon at the end. Myers has us questioning a lot about Steve’s involvement in the crime, as well as his character. Readers are faced with the unknown, and they must either decide or be left in the dark. Whichever the outcome, readers still must think about everything presented in the book and how it affected their decision and why. Not only do readers make a decision about Steve, but then also about the kind of person they are. If we think he is guilty, are we too judgmental? If we believe his innocence, are we too soft?