Hannah Manikowski Manikowski – 1
Justice in Monster
Walter Dean Myers’ novel Monster explores what it means to not only be a black
teenager in the U.S., but also, more specifically, what it means to be a black teenager in the U.S.
who is on trial for murder. Through the sincere introspection of the novel’s protagonist, Steve
Harmon, the reader is confronted with the practical consequences of racial prejudice and is
forced to consider how often black Americans are put “on trial” every day – and not just in the
courtroom.
A primary and readily accepted tenant of the American judicial system is that the accused
are considered innocent until proven guilty. However, in Steve Harmon’s case, the accountability
is placed on Steve and his defense fighting to prove his innocence – a direct inversion of the
intended process that no one involved (with the exception of Steve) challenges or even denies.
Steve’s lawyer, Kathy O’Brien, goes so far as to confirm this inversion without criticism when
she claims that “nothing is happening that speaks to [Steve] being innocent.” She then says to
Steve, in a way that is business-like to the point of being callous, “Half of those jurors, no matter
what they said when we questioned them when we picked the jury, believed you were guilty the
moment they laid eyes on you. You’re young, you’re Black, and you’re on trial. What else do
they need to know” (78)?
O’Brien is not alone in her indifference. Repeatedly, those who are not directly affected
by the case’s outcome refer to the proceedings in a way that is, at best, detached and, at worst,
hostile. A guard in the courtroom refers to the trial as a “motion case” (14). Detective Karyl
reminds his colleague to “hope for the best” when told the death penalty will not be used on
someone so young (73). Guards at the prison even have “a pool going” and place bets on how
long Steve’s assumed prison sentence will be (266).
