Monster Summary
Description
Here you will find a Monster summary (Walter Dean Myers's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
P.S.: As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from purchases made through links in this page. But the summaries are totally free!
Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Monster Summary Overview
A 16-year-old African American boy, Steve Harmon, finds himself facing a murder charge and passes time in his jail cell by writing in a notebook. The charge is a serious one, felony homicide, a crime that could result in a lengthy prison sentence. He decides to craft a screenplay about his experiences, naming it "Monster" - a label the prosecutor has bestowed upon him. His narrative unfolds in a blend of handwritten thoughts and typed scenes. As his trial begins, Steve's lawyer, Kathy O'Brien, urges him to grasp the gravity of the situation. The State prosecutor, Sandra Petrocelli, is known to be highly competent, and Steve's co-defendant, James King, a fellow young African American, adds complexity to the case. The trial opens with Petrocelli laying out the charges against the defendants - they, along with two other men, are accused of robbing a drugstore and killing its owner, Aguinaldo Nesbitt. Petrocelli labels the defendants as "monsters in the community." Two witnesses, José Delgado and Salvatore Zinzi, testify, but Steve's and King's defense counsels reveal these testimonies were given in exchange for lighter sentences. The trial progresses, with Petrocelli presenting further witnesses and evidence, and the defense attorneys challenging the validity of the prosecution's evidence. Steve battles fear, anger, and despair as he records prison incidents and reflects on his life. Eventually, Steve takes the stand to maintain his innocence, as does his film teacher who vouches for his character. The final moments of the trial are tense, with both sides delivering compelling closing arguments. The jury finally returns, acquitting Steve and convicting King. Despite the victory, Steve's relationship with his defense lawyer, O'Brien, seems strained, a fact that troubles him deeply. Five months later, he's back home and continues to write and make films - but, the ordeal has left undeniable changes in his life and relationships.
opening note
An inmate finds solace in penning his thoughts in his diary from within his confinement. The man before him in the mirror is a stranger to him, a reflection of his surreal existence behind bars. He then makes the resolution to script his own film, aptly naming it "Monster" – the label given to him by the state's attorney.
chapter 1
The narrative shift to a screenplay shows Steve Harmon, a slim teenager, in a cell at the Manhattan Detention Center. His suit and tie sit next to him. He writes, directs, and produces a film titled Monster: The Story of My Miserable Life. Various scenes showcase Steve's journey from the prison's breakfast table to a courtroom. He engages with his lawyer, Kathy O’Brien, in a compact room. O'Brien lets Steve know that he and his co-defendant James King are facing a murder charge and emphasises the importance of his courtroom demeanor. Once in the courtroom, she assures Steve that it's her job to humanize him to the jury. Upon the judge's entrance, he exchanges cordial greetings with Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor; Asa Briggs, King's attorney; and O’Brien. A flashback takes Steve to a film class discussing compelling endings. The narrative returns to the courtroom as the jury enters. Petrocelli presents her opening statement, contrasting law-abiding citizens with the "monsters" who commit crimes. She lays out the case: a pharmacist is dead, the result of a robbery, and the suspects are Richard "Bobo" Evans and James King. Petrocelli alleges Steve scouted the pharmacy before the crime. As Petrocelli speaks, Steve repeats the word Monster on paper, prompting O'Brien to cross it out. She urges him to believe in himself for the jury to find him innocent. O'Brien promises to establish "Mr. Harmon's" innocence. She reminds the jury he's innocent until proven guilty and encourages them not to make assumptions. Briggs warns that King's case depends mostly on criminals' testimonies. The first witness, José Delgado, an employee at the robbed store, recounts finding the owner dead with the cash register open and cigarettes missing. The next witness, Salvatore Zinzi, an inmate at Riker’s Island, heard about the crime from another prisoner. He admits to stealing the prisoner’s chance to testify in return for a deal. Both O'Brien and Briggs question Zinzi's credibility. A flashback shows Steve as a child, where he threw a rock and his friend took the blame.
chapter 2
Steve communicates through a letter about the violence and threats amongst the inmates, expressing his detestation of the environment. The narrative shifts to a courtroom scene with Wendell Bolden, a frequent lawbreaker recently imprisoned for assault, on the witness stand. Bolden fingers Bobo Evans as the perpetrator of the drugstore heist, disclosing he purchased stolen cigarettes from him. Thereafter, the plot moves to a dialogue on a 141st Street stoop, featuring Steve, James King, Peaches, and Johnny discussing their financial needs and King's desire for a team. Johnny hints that the optimal location for a robbery is a low-profile "getover." The courtroom scene resumes with Bolden remembering the theft occurred close to Christmas. Asa Briggs cross-examines him, doubting why Evans would admit to a major offense to an unknown person. Briggs also makes Bolden confess he received a deal in exchange for his testimony. The judge then adjourns the session till the following day. The narrative transitions to the Detention Center at nighttime. Amid dim lights and echoes of brutality, the reader is taken to Steve's cell where his cellmate is under attack. The segment concludes with a close-up of Steve, his eyes shut tight.
chapter 3
Steve expresses in his journal that he feels disconnected with his own legal proceedings. He mentions another inmate, Sunset, who enjoys his screenplay and a visit from a preacher. Despite looking like the wrongdoers around him, Steve maintains his sense of morality but battles nausea. The narrative shifts back to the courtroom. The judge and legal professionals engage in trivial conversation about termites while waiting for the session to start. Detective Karyl is shown on the stand, and then the crime scene at the drugstore where he questions José Delgado. Karyl unveils photos of Mr. Nesbitt, the deceased, and confesses that the crime scene yielded little evidence, apart from a tip about cigarettes. The scene transitions to the 28th precinct where Detectives Karyl and Williams interrogate Steve. Karyl claims that King accuses Steve of executing the fatal shot. Steve refutes any involvement in the crime. The potential penalties for Steve are discussed before shifting to an image of Steve in the execution chamber. Back in the courtroom, Asa Briggs makes Karyl confess that no fingerprint evidence was found at the crime scene. The focus returns to the jail where older inmates casually speculate about Steve's case. In the prison visiting room, Steve converses with O’Brien, who advises that key witness Osvaldo Cruz will testify later that day. The narrative returns to a flashback of Cruz, only fourteen, taunting Steve with homophobic slurs. Freddy Alou, sixteen, warns Cruz about Steve's dubious friends. Back in the courtroom, Cruz takes the stand, admitting his involvement in the robbery due to fear and naming Bobo Evans, James King, and Steve Harmon as his accomplices.
chapter 4
Steve shares his gloom in a detailed note. His lawyer, O'Brien, has hinted at an unfavorable outcome for him, and he ponders over the progress of the trial. He empathizes with Acie, another inmate awaiting judgement, who breaks down in tears. He also reflects on Mr. Nesbitt, the victim, and wishes O'Brien could sense his innocence. His account includes snippets about O'Brien's background and the guard's chit-chat about their children and baseball. He writes about King, another accused, who tries to intimidate him, but fails. As students visit to observe the trial, he notes their aversion to him. In the ensuing court drama, Petrocelli interrogates Osvaldo Cruz. Briggs successfully makes Osvaldo confess his involvement in the crime and the deal struck for his testimony. O'Brien manages to reveal Osvaldo's violent past, his association with the Diablos gang, and his dubious claim of being afraid of Bobo Evans. Steve meets his father, Mr. Harmon, in the visitor's area of the Detention Center. He insists on his innocence but his father remains silent. Mr. Harmon expresses his shattered dreams of seeing Steve play football at Morehouse and finds it hard to believe his son's current predicament. When asked about his mother, Mr. Harmon assures him everything will be fine, but he eventually breaks down. Steve writes in his notebook about the emotional toll of seeing his father cry. The narrative transitions to Steve's neighborhood, highlighting the prevalent poverty. Steve overhears two women discussing the tragic robbery and murder, contemplating leaving the area. The news of the crime is shown on a TV screen which leaves Steve in disbelief. A fortnight later, Steve's mother brings groceries and news of the criminals being apprehended. The family turns on the TV to hear about Bobo Evans' arrest. Detectives Williams and Karyl arrive, asking Steve to accompany them to the police station. His mother insists on joining them but they whisk Steve away before she can follow. She frantically tries to catch up, but she is left clueless about their destination.
chapter 5
O'Brien is upset as Petrocelli utilizes an abbreviated court session to display photos of deceased Mr. Nesbitt to the jury again. She believes the gruesome images will stick with the jurors over the weekend. Steve avoids the pictures and the jury, and refrains from writing about the drugstore incident in his diary. He imagines himself out on the street while Mr. Nesbitt succumbs to his injuries. Back in his cell, Steve labors alongside four other inmates to clean the corridors. Despite wearing identical orange jumpsuits, Steve feels suffocated by the environment and the disinfectant odor. A guard warns him not to throw up, or he would have to clean that too. Steve continues cleaning, yearning to leave. He acknowledges that he once wanted to be tough like the other inmates, while O'Brien plans to prove that he is different. Steve's screenplay involves a four-split-screen montage, featuring city clerk Allen Forbes, Detective Williams, and medical examiner Dr. James Moody. The fourth screen alternates between Steve and King. Forbes confirms that Mr. Nesbitt legally owned the crime weapon. Williams describes the crime scene as he found it; a robbery-turned-homicide. A tip from Sal Zinzi led to Bobo's arrest, who confessed to his role in the crime. Dr. Moody reports that Mr. Nesbitt died from a gunshot wound that punctured a lung and the esophagus, causing shock and internal bleeding. This revelation visibly shakes Steve while King remains nonchalant.
chapter 6
Steve is warned by O’Brien that his notebook may be scrutinized by the prosecution. He talks with her and doesn't want her to leave, recognizing she deems him guilty. His fellow inmate, Sunset, is declared guilty and expects a seven to ten-year sentence nonchalantly. Fear amplifies within Steve as he envisions a potential twenty-year sentence. Discussions about their cases among the inmates lead Steve to ponder on the concept of guilt. He observes Sunset's open guilt and Ernie's denial of his despite being caught during a botched jewelry store robbery. Violence erupts in prison, making the inmates sense normalcy. During her first visit to Steve, Mrs. Harmon breaks down in tears. The visiting room's overcrowded and noisy environment hinders their communication. She promises to bring his brother Jerry to see him and questions if hiring a Black lawyer might have been a better choice. However, Steve doesn't view it as a racial matter. She gifts him a Bible and requests he reads a verse for her, asserting her belief in his innocence. Despite what others may think, Steve is unsure of his innocence. In his screenplay, Steve adds a brief scene where he's with King, who is using drugs. King reveals his and Bobo's intention to rob a drugstore, questioning Steve's willingness to participate. Steve remains silent, and King keeps demanding a decisive response as the camera moves away from them.
chapter 7
Steve documents Sunday's activities in his journal. He enjoys a larger breakfast than usual and witnesses a brawl during church services. The detention center goes into lockdown, which is lifted at one in the afternoon for visitation. Most inmates then head to the rec room to watch a baseball game, but Steve chooses to peer out a corridor window. He spots Jerry on the street and waves, even though he's aware Jerry can't see him. Steve's parents visit and they exchange local gossip. He informs his mother he just spotted Jerry. Once they depart, Steve revisits his screenplay, longing for his reality to be merely a film. His lawyer, O'Brien, has informed him that star witnesses will be called by the State the following day, Monday.
chapter 8
The scene transitions back to the courtroom where everyone anticipates the next events. The judge indulges in petty chatter with the attorneys and then the State brings Lorelle Henry to testify. She recalls being in the drugstore on December 22nd, overhearing an exchange between two young men and Mr. Nesbitt, the owner. She identifies James King as one of the men involved in the argument. However, during cross-examination, she admits she initially failed to identify King in the pictures shown by the police and was hesitant to testify against a fellow Black man. Despite her initial hesitation, she eventually recognized King from a lineup. Next, Richard “Bobo” Evans takes the stand, presenting a large and intimidating figure in his prison attire. He testifies about his familiarities with King and Steve, acknowledges his past convictions and current incarceration for drug trafficking, and claims that he had conspired with King to rob the drugstore, with Steve acting as the lookout. Bobo adds that King held the gun when it was fired, and after the incident, they took some cigarettes and left. They then divided the stolen money and had some fried chicken at a nearby restaurant. Bobo also alleges that the plan involved splitting the stolen money with Steve and Osvaldo Cruz. He confesses to selling some of the stolen cigarettes to Wendell Bolden and admits he has negotiated a deal of reduced sentence for his testimony. However, during Bobo's cross-examination, his credibility is scrutinized. O’Brien challenges Bobo's allegations about Steve. Bobo concedes that he did not converse with Steve before the theft and remains ignorant about Steve's role in signaling the all-clear. He denies knowledge about Steve's payment and insists all his interactions with Steve were via King. O’Brien also uncovers that Bobo's narrative of the theft is mostly based on what King told him and that he confessed to the crime to gain a plea deal from the state. After Petrocelli concludes the people's case, the judge dismisses the court and the jury is granted the rest of the day off. As the scene ends, Steve's mother, Mrs. Harmon, converses with O’Brien while a court officer stays close to Steve.
chapter 9
Steve records a meeting with O’Brien in his notebook, where she expresses her concern about dissociating Steve from King for the jury. Steve is terrified as he contemplates his predicament. He observes the day outside, which is pleasant with busy streets. Steve misses his brother Jerry and understands why inmates' belts and shoelaces are confiscated. O'Brien asks Steve to list his loved ones; Mr. Sawicki, his film teacher, is mentioned twice. The trial continues with Briggs representing King. Dorothy Moore, King's cousin, attests that King was with her on the day of the crime. However, Petrocelli points out inconsistencies in Moore's account. Another witness, George Nipping, attests that King is left-handed. O’Brien reasons with Steve that the fatal wound on the left side indicates a right-handed shooter, which doesn't help King. A flashback shows Mr. Sawicki advising Steve to keep movie plotlines simple. O’Brien prepares Steve to testify, emphasizing the need to separate himself from King. She instructs him to portray himself as someone the jury can trust. O'Brien and Steve play a game to practice answering questions. The scene transitions to Steve's cell at night, where inmates discuss lying and survival. The following morning, Steve's hand is swollen as he prepares for court. In court, Steve testifies that he was not involved in the robbery and only knows King casually from the neighborhood. He denies any conversations with Bobo Evans and describes his relationship with Osvaldo Cruz as casual. Steve denies being at the drugstore on the day of the crime and claims he was taking mental notes for a movie when the crime occurred. George Sawicki testifies in favor of Steve, praising him as a responsible and trustworthy individual. Petrocelli tries to undermine this by pointing out that Sawicki doesn't live in Steve's neighborhood. Sawicki defends himself, claiming his knowledge of the neighborhood is from Steve's films. He asserts his belief in Steve's integrity. Finally, the defense attorneys, O’Brien and Briggs, conclude their cases.
chapter 10
Steve is shown in his cell before the scene shifts to the courtroom. Briggs emphasizes on law enforcement's inadequacy in handling King’s case. He suggests that the police manipulated evidence and relied heavily on informants instead of concrete proof. He also raises doubt on the credibility of the witnesses testifying against King, due to their own criminal histories and potential deals for reduced sentences. In her closing speech, O’Brien praises the jury's attentiveness. She reviews the case evidence, confirming the victim's death and the gun ownership. She then focuses on unproven aspects, such as Steve's presence during the robbery and his foreknowledge of the crime. She highlights that the key witness, Mrs. Henry, did not see Steve. She alludes to Bobo's indifference towards Steve, suggesting this as a possible reason for implicating him. O'Brien contrasts Steve's demeanor on the stand with the other witnesses and underscores the concept of reasonable doubt, insisting that Steve's guilt is unproven. Petrocelli addresses the jury next, emphasizing the focus is the murder of an innocent man, not the witnesses' character. She asserts the motive of the witnesses doesn’t invalidate their testimony. She revisits the evidence, admitting Bobo and Cruz's involvement and the significance of the stolen cigarettes in pinning the crime. She maintains that Steve acted as the lookout, thus making a "moral decision" to participate in the crime. The judge's instructions to the jury focus on the principle of complicity in crime, indicating that if they believe Steve and King were involved, they should be found guilty of felony murder. The focus then shifts back to the cell, with King and Steve waiting for the verdict as guards place bets on the outcome. The scene ends with glimpses of Steve in the prison mess hall and back in his cell.
chapter 11
Steve records in his diary his fear of sleep, given his helpless situation. He starts comprehending why other inmates discuss appeals. He recalls his mother's distraught look post the judge's jury instructions, but he's too consumed by his predicament to feel sorry for her. He's already contemplating an appeal, puzzled by Petrocelli's assertion that he made a moral choice. His predominant emotion is panic, and he continues to mentally adjust his own movie, where he has a clear understanding of truth, without moral ambiguity, with a soundtrack of cellos and violas. A guard declares the verdict for Harmon and King's case. In the now bustling courtroom, O’Brien, after conversing with the judge, reassures Steve that his case can proceed irrespective of the verdict. As the jury members assemble, the scene captions this as the authentic account of Steve Harmon’s ordeal and trial. The verdict is displayed through a series of pictures instead of words. James King is declared guilty and is escorted out of the court by two guards. Steve’s mother is shown clasping her hands in desperation. Then, Steve Harmon is found not guilty. Steve anticipates a hug from O’Brien, but she withdraws, departing and leaving him standing with his arms open. The final scene becomes blurry and grainy, with Steve's outline appearing monstrous.
chapter 12
Months after the trial in December, Steve records in his journal that James King received a 25-years-to-life sentence. Osvaldo Cruz is in a reformatory for car theft, while Bobo remains in prison. Steve now devotes his time to filmmaking, an endeavor his mother doesn't comprehend. He often films his own reflection from varying angles, an activity his younger brother, Jerry, enjoys participating in. His mother is simply relieved he's not behind bars. Post-trial, Steve's father embraced him tearfully, but the relationship has since become strained. Uncertainty pervades their relationship as Steve's father questions his son's identity, and Steve wrestles with self-doubt. This explains his penchant for self-filming. He's confounded by O'Brien's cold shoulder after their victory in court, prompting him to ask, "What did she see?"
