ESSAY

We have been given an essay to write based on the book Monster by Walter Dean Mayers.

The question is:

Has Steve Harmon, the main character of Monster, become a monster, either in actuality or in the perception of himself or others?

It is a Yes/ No question but you need to elaborate it in 5 pages.

For more help you can refer this site :

http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Monster_Myers/Monster_Study_Guide_Summary01.html

In supporting your answer to this question be sure to define the term Monster. Does your definition possibly differ from that of characters in the book ( Petrocelli, O' Brien, Steve's father, Detective Karyl, Bobo King, Osvaldo, the jurors, Steve himself)? From the perspective of psychology or of literature? From popular or cultural definitions? Consider what makes up a person's identity. Is it something innate, a spiritual essence? Is it in a person's DNA? Is it that original essence shaped by environment, other people and experiences? Is it simply the collection of experiences and other influences without the nucleus of an inner being as Julian Baggini contends? Or is it a self creation evolved from the imitation of others as Hetain Patel suggests?

Whether or not he has been transformed into a monster, consider if Harmon has undergone some form of identity transformation, real or perceived, due to circumstances. When did this transformation begin? During the trial? In jail? During the robbery and shooting? During his previous associations with Bobo King, Osvaldo, and other negative influences? From films and film class? From the environment he grew up in? Or was he always the way he is?

In supporting your answer, feel free to draw comparisions and contrasts to one or two other people (either real or fictious) who have been perceived by some people as monsters, such as

O.J. Simpson

George Zimmerman

You need to complete the essay in 48 hours. Atleast 5pages. No plagarism.