MONSTER By Walter Dean Meyers
Steve's Environment and Behavior
The Jail Cell
I don't know how Steve survived throughout his experience behind bars, away from his family, in court, and socializing with other criminals that had done far worse than what he did. In the beginning Steve was very frightened by his social environment behind bars, but who can blame him.
First moments of "Lock Down"
Steve was scared out of his mind behind bars. It was all freaky and crazy if you ask me. There are so many things that happen in behind bars that we don't know about and is far worse than what we could imagine. There was no crying in his cell or the jail because then within the next few moments you were knocked out cold or jumped. Any sign of weakness you give or show them that's when your reputation is lost along with your dignity. " The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help. That way even if you sniffle a little they won't hear you. If anybody knows that you are crying, they'll start talking about it and soon it'll be your turn to get beat up when the lights go out." Page 1
Ongoing Survival in Jail
All Steve would say and discuss about being in jail is the poor food but also the accidents or fights that goes on around him. There were always fights or arguments going on around him. Throughout his time in jail he was kind of giving me as the reader survival tips about being in jail. Steve was sort of explaining what he had to do or avoid to survive through jail without getting jumped by the other criminals. " They had church services and I went. There were only 9 guys in the service, and 2 of them got into a fight. It was a vicious fight and the minister called the guards." Pg 153 "In the cell we played bid whist and another fight almost started when one of the guys thought someone had dissed him." Pg 154
Going Home
Well Steve was pronounced innocent so he was finally able to go home. After all he had been through his attitude had finally changed. He was even there when they pronounced him not guilty. And his mood had changed instantly, from when he always went back to his jail cell or scared at the trials to being ecstatic. Steve was finally happy he could go home to his family, especially to his little brother who he hadn't seen since Steve was arrested. "Last night i was afraid to go to sleep. It was as if closing my eyes was going to cause me to die." Page 269
By: Alicia Pintello
Period: 6th
2/24/13
Period: 6th
2/24/13