Monster Study Guide
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Monster Study Guide
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Monster
By: Walter Dean Myers
“The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I’ll write it down in the notebook they let me keep. I’ll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me. Monster”
(pg 4-­‐5) Character List:
- Steve Harmon: 16 yrs old, on trial for felony murder
- Kathy O’Brien: Steve’s defense attorney
- Sandra Petrocelli: prosecutor
- James King: also on trial for felony murder
- Asa Briggs: lead defense lawyer for James King
- Mr. Sawicki: film club advisor at Steve’s high school
- Alguinaldo Nesbitt: 55 yr old storeowner, murder victim
- Bobo Evans: prisoner who admits to participating in felony murder to receive a deal
- Jose Delgado: store employee, found Nesbitt’s body
- Salvatore Zinzi: prisoner who told in order to receive a break, heard about case from Bolden
while imprisoned
- Wendell Bolden: told Zinzi what he knew about case, found out when he bought cigarettes
- Detectives Karyl & Williams: investigating the case
- Osvaldo Cruz: 14 yrs old, member of the gang Diablos, admits to being involved in the crime,
his job was to slow down anyone who pursued King and Evans
- Allen Forbes: city clerk
- Dr. James Moody: medical examiner
- Loretta Henry: 58 yr old, retired school librarian, was in drugstore on Dec 22nd
- Dorothy Moore: King’s cousin, says that King spent the afternoon of Dec 22nd with her
- George Nipping: 50 yrs old, testifies that he has known King for years and that King is left
handed
- Freddy Alow: hangs out with Osvaldo Cruz
- Mr. Harmon: Steve’s dad
- Mrs. Harmon: Steve’s mom
- Jerry Harmon: Steve’s little brother
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“This is not a movie about bars and locked doors. It is about being alone when you are not really alone and about being scared all the time.” (pg 3-­‐4) Summative Assessment: Narrative: Write yourself into the drama “Monster”. Imagine yourself as a prisoner alongside the main character; what is it like to be in prison? How do others perceive you? Story should be told in first person and approximately two pages long. You may use details from “Monster” in your story. Prison Diary Rubric
_____ Correct spelling and grammar (5)
_____ Day one: Created a backstory. Began diary by explaining your upbringing. (5)
_____ Day two: Described yourself (physical and personality traits). (5)
_____ Day three: Described where you lived and what you did before prison. (5)
_____ Day four: Described what your crime was and how you were apprehended. (5)
_____ Day five: Described the trial and if you had a good lawyer. Also included whether the
jury prejudiced was prejudiced or not. (5)
_____ Day six: Described the sights, sounds, and feelings you’re experiencing in prison and
what type of prisoner you were. (fierce, depressed, angry, victimized, etc) (5)
_____ Day seven: Described an interaction with a kid named Steve and your impressions of
him. Also included what your conversation was about. (5)
_____ Day eight: Described what you learned from your experience. (5)
_____ Day nine: Described what your plans were if you ever got out or how you would handle
life in prison. (5)
_____/50
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Drama and Screenplay Terminology
- actor: a gifted individual who has studied the craft of acting in order to portray roles in
performances of dramatic literaure.
- antagonist: a character that puts barriers and reversals in the way of a protagonist’s progress or
objective.
- aural: a film element that can be heard (such as an off screen sound like a dog howling or a gun
firing)
- beat: a unit of action within a scene or act that marks subtle shifts in the direction or control of the
plot action.
- book-ending: a framing device within which a main plot line is presented as being told or read to
another, often embellished by the use of a voice-over narration throughout the film
- camera angle: the angle from which a shot is to be taken (e.g., a close-up angle is a shot that
should be made from a close proximity to the subject, either through tighter lens focusing or by the
camera being placed physically closer to the action).
- characterization: an actor’s interpretation of a role in a performance of dramatic literature.
- climax: the point of highest intensity, catharsis, and suspense just before a resolution.
- close up (cu) – a shot in which the subject fills the screen and details are noticeable
- crew: the staff members of a film production
- cut to – a move from one shot to the next- medium shot (ms) – a shot in which the subject does
not appear to be too close or too far from the viewer
- dialogue: the façade of heard language that reveals the subtextual struggles going on between
characters.
- director: the main orchestrator of the various creative activities that go into film production, the
director collaborates with and guides designers, editors, cinematographers, technicians, and actors
in their interpretation of the script within a single organic vision.
- editor: the technician who “cuts” and assembles a movie from raw footage shot during principal
photography, cutting it into a completed film with an eye to pacing, rhythm, suspense and cinematic
image storytelling.
- filmmaking: the act of recording a performance on film
- flashback: a transition from a scene to one that has taken place prior to it.
- foreshadowing: a metaphoric or symbolic indication of something to come.
- fade in – a smooth move in to an image from black
- fade out – a smooth move out of an image into black
- genre: a type of film for which audience have a set of particular expectations in regard to plot,
style, tone, outcome, and theme.
- intent: the subtextual objective of a character
- jeopardy: a condition of possible physical or emotional danger or suffering of a character or
characters that raises the stakes of a plot.
- linear structure: a plot structure that runs in a chronological or logical cause-and-effect sequence.
- location manager: a film crew worker who scouts, contracts, and manages the location sets (as
opposed to studio sets) for film productions. Locations are usually real places used as found sets
with a minimum of set dressing or construction.
- long shot (ls) – shot in which the subject is shown at a relatively small scale
- medium shot (ms) – a shot in which the subject does not appear to be too close or too far from the
viewer
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- motivation: a) the situation, reasoning, or driving compulsion behind a character’s intent; b) the
character background or situational factors that actors analyze to “motivate” their performance of a
role.
- movie: a dramatic performance that is recorded as a moving image, whether on film or videotape.
- out of continuity: out of chronological or linear order (used to describe the way in which movie
scenes are shot during principal photography).
- outcome: the resolution of a story in terms of the protagonist’s objective
- plot action: the physical actions and story points that propel a story through to a climax and
resolution.
plot pay-off: the consequence or outcome of a plot point or story element that is set-up earlier in a
screenplay.
- point of view (POV): the position from which an image is supposed to be seen, requiring the
placing of the camera in that relationship
- quality: the tone or characteristic nature of a story element
- red herring: a false lead, assumed outcome or obvious solution that a writer plants in a story to
fool the audience from guessing the real outcome.
- resolution: the outcome of a screenplay in terms of its plot set-up and development.
- reversal: a serious second act obstacle to a protagonist’s objective
- scene: continuous action with or without dialogue that takes place in one setting
- set: wherever camera is in place for a shot that is being set up for shooting (or being shot) at a
location or studio.
- subplot: a secondary plot line that enhances a main plot and intersects with it at a crucial point in
the climax.
- technician: a crew person who performs some kind of technical (as opposed to design) function
(such as grips, gaffers, sound mixers, boom operators, script supervisors, etc.)
- teleplay: a form of dramatic literature used as an instruction manual for the production of
television shows.
- turning point: an action point that is a reaction to an obstacle in the way of a protagonist’s
objective; turning points raise the stakes, move the action in a different direction or to a different
playing area, and force the protagonist to take a new or different tack.
- unity: the way in which the components of a story relate to each other and to the story as a whole
so that it makes overall emotional or thematic sense.
- videography: the recording of a performance by means of video camera and videotape.
- visual: having to do with that which can be seen (vs. heard)
- visual effect: a special visual technique used to enhance storytelling (such as computer animation,
slow motion, or time-lapse photography).
- voiceover narration: a narration heard over the images of a scene.
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Monster Study Guide
Questions to Guide Your Reading
“Most people in our community are decent, hardworking citizens who pursue their own interests legally and without infringing on the rights of others. But there are also monsters in our communities – people who are willing to steal and to kill, people who disregard the rights of others.” (21) 1. Why is the book called Monster? (Pg 5)
2. Who is Steve Harmon? Why do you think he’d wear a suit and tie to his trial instead of his
orange jumper? (7)
3. Who is Kathy O’Brien? (Describe her) (12)
4. - What crime is Steve being tried for committing? (12)
5. Who else is on trial with Steve? (12)
6. When asked if they’ll win, O’Brien says, “it probably depends on what you mean by
‘win’”(13). What do you think she means by this?
7. Describe James King. (13)
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8. The guard explains, “It’s a motion case. They go through the motions; they lock them up”
(14). What do you think he means by this?
9. According to O’Brien, what’s the purpose of her job? (16) Specifically, what’s her legal title?
10. Describe the judge (17)
11. Who is Sandra Petrocelli? (What is her legal title?) Describe her. (17)
12. Who is Asa Briggs? Describe him. (17)
13. Who is Sawicki? (19)
14. What’s the purpose of this cut-in scene? What does it introduce? What do we learn? (19)
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Monster Study Guide
15.
Jose
Zinzi
Who is this
person?
(Connection to
crime)
Testimony
16. Whose testimony does King’s lawyer make a motion to suppress?
17. Who owned the murder weapon?
18. What merchandise was stolen from the drugstore during the robbery?
Vocabulary Words:
Sentence from text
Prejudged (27)
“If you have not prejudged him, then
I don’t think we will have a problem
convincing you…”
Articulate (28)
“He is young, very well built, and
articulate”
Definition
8
Drawing the setting…
Must include:
The judge
The Jury
Stenographer
Witness stand
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3 tables
Steve Harmon
James King
Kathy O’Brien
Asa Briggs
Sandra Petroccelli
“Labels” (defense, plaintif, judge, etc.)
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Monster Study Guide
Page 45-59
1. Steve describes how much he hates this place saying, “I can’t write it enough tims ot make it look the
way I feel”(46). Have you ever felt this way? About what? Explain.
2. How did Bolden and Zinzi find out about the robbery?
3. Why do you think Steve choose to include the flashback about throwing the rock with Tony?
July 7 Vocabulary Words:
Sentence from text
Pertinent (55)
Definition
“Overruled, it’s pertinent”
page 59-88
1. Steve believes that “making you live is part of the punishment” (59). Do you agree with this? Why?
2. Why do YOU think everyone fights in prison?
3. Why does Steve think the prosecution is parading witnesses with terrible character in front of the jury?
4. How did Detective Karyl get his leads on potential suspects?
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5. Why did Williams and Karyl say that Steve pulled the trigger when they questioned him about the death
of Mr. Nesbitt?
6. What reason does Osvaldo give for his participation in the crime? (86)
Sentence from text
Stooped-67
“The detective is heavy, stooped”
Slain-68
“We see the leges of the slain
drugstore owner, Nesbitt.
Pessimist-73
“What are you, a pessimist? Hope for
the best.”
Proposition-85
Did Mr. Evans, or Bobo, make a
proposition to you?
Juvenile-86
“Your honor, Mr. Cruz is a juvenile!”
Hostile-86
“He’s hostile”
Established-86
“You haven’t established Mr. Cruz as
a hostile witness.”
Definition
“I wanted to open my shirt and tell her to look into my heart to see who I really was, who the real Steve Harmon was. That was what I was thinking, about what was in my heart and what that made me. I’m just not a bad person. I know that in my heart I am not a bad person.” (92-­‐93) Monster studyguide.doc 03/17/15
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July 9th
1. Why is the fact that Osvaldo a member of the Diablos gang important? (108)
2. What happens when Steve’s father visits him in prison?
3. Why do you think that Steve chose to include interviews and news clips in his story?
4. How does Steve represent his innocence in his notes? (115)
5. What does the prevailing neighborhood attitude seem to be regarding Mr. Nesbitt’s murder? (121)
6. Why do you think that Steve chose to include the flashback about watching the cartoon?
7. Why do Detectives Karyl and Williams come to the Harmon Household?
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Monster Study Guide
Vocabulary
Sentence from text
proceeds-100
“And how were the proceeds of this
robbery?”
Apprehended105
“Do you know how you were
apprehended?”
Reassurance -112
“Steve searches his father’s face,
looking for the reassurance he has
always seen there.”
Cacophony-117
“… We pick up a cacophony of
sounds.”
Distinguish-119
“We can no longer distinguish Steve.”
Dismay-121
“Residents of the neighborhoods are in
absolute dismay.”
Glowers-123
“…A sullen Bobo handcuffed… he
glowers at camera”
Engaged-125
“Block engaged in normal activity”
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Definition
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Monster Study Guide
(127-137)
1. What does O’Brien cite as Petrocelli’s reason for showing the pictures of Nesbitt’s body to the jury on
Friday afternoon?
2. What contradiction does Steve offer in his journal? (130)
3. What does the testimony of Forbes establish? (131)
4. How does Petrocelli attempt to sensationalize Dr. Moody’s account of Nesbitt’s death? (136)
Sentence from text
Premises-131
Presumably-132
Traversed-135
Definition
“Mr. Nesbitt applied for a license to
have a gun on the premises in August
of 1989.”
“Presumably he wanted it for the
store.”
“The bullet entered the body on the
left side and traversed upward
through the lung”
“She writes down what is being said, and what is being said about me, and she adds it all up to guilty. “I’m not guilty,” I said to her. “You should have said, ‘I didn’t do it,’” she said. “I didn’t do it,” I said.” (138)
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Monster Study Guide
(137-152)
1. How does Steve represent his guilt? (138)
2. Do you think there is a difference between saying he isn’t guilty and that he didn’t do it? If so, what is
the difference? (138)
3. What three things does Steve say prisoners focus on while they are imprisoned? (140)
4. What was different about Mr. & Mrs. Harmon’s visits?
5. How does Steve represent his guilt after his mom leaves? (148)
6. Who asks Steve to be the lookout for the robbery? (150)
Sentence from text
Wrenched-147
Definition
“The smile that came to her lips was
one she wrenched from someplace
deep inside of her.”
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“The movie is more real in so many ways than the life I am leading. No, that’s not true. I just desperately wish this was only a movie.” (159)
(153-160)
- Why does Steve think that the prisoners fight so much? (155)
- Why does Steve say that he needs to write the movie? (159)
(161-200)
1. Why does the prosecution call Mrs. Henry to the stand?
2. Who does Mrs. Henry identify as one of the men that she saw threaten Mr. Nesbitt? (164)
3. During the cross examination of Mrs. Henry, why does Briggs seem interested in the process and order
of photographs and the lineup? (167-170)
4. Why does Briggs want to object to the way that Bobo is dressed during his testimony? (172)
5. How does Bobo’s testimony attempt to establish Steve’s role in the crime? (177-178)
6. Did Steve give King and Bobo a sign?
7. Had Bobo ever talked to Steve about the robbery? (197)
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Monster Study Guide
Sentence from text
Diminutive-161
Definition
“The diminutive 58-year old retired
school librarian is neatly dressed”
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201-269
1. Why did the defense have Ms. Moore testify?
2. Why is King’s right vs. left handedness an issue? (212)
3. Why does “O’Brien want Steve to testify?
4. Why can’t King testify at the trial? (216)
5. What activity does Steve say that he was engaged in at the time of the felony?
6. What does Mr. Sawicki’s testimony accomplish? (234-235)
7. What were some main points in Brigg’s closing arguments? (239-243)
8. What are the main points of O’Brien’s closing arguments? (244-253)
9. What are Petrocelli’s main points during closing arguments? (254-262)
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Monster Study Guide
Sentence from text
Infer-215
“The Judge will tell the jury not to
infer anything”
Surly-215
“He’s sitting there looking surly.
Maybe he thinks he’s tough”
Soliciting-231
“The prosecution is soliciting an
argument”
Depicting-235
“He’s very much involved with
depicting his neighborhood and
environment in a positive manner”
“I would like to beg your indulgence
while I review that testimony”
Indulgence-244
Vicinity-248
“We might expect someone in the
vicinity to have noticed it”
Alleged-249
Where was Steve Harmon? The
alleged lookout man?
Implicated- 249
“… The deal they get depends on
their convincing you that other people
are implicated”
“The killing here is the key to what
these proceedings are about”
Proceedings-250
Gullible-250
Submit-252
Reinforce-253
Intently-253
“Is this a shallow, gullible man who
doesn’t think about very much of
anything?”
“I submit to you, the jurors in this
case, that you… would [be] nervous”
“It was reinforced with every witness
the State brought to the stand”
“We see the two defense lawyers
watching intently”
Discount-254
“You say you should discount his
testimony”
Contention-255
“It is the contention of the state that
no one has the right to deprive us
of…life”
“What does work is the State’s theory
of what happened, verified by all of
the witnesses”
“This was a botched robbery”
Verified-259
Botched-259
Definition
Restores-262
“None of us can restore him to his
family”
Menacingly-266
“Steve looks up and sees the taker
looking at him menacingly”
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“I think about December of last year. What was the decision I made? To walk down tht e streets? To get up in the morning? To talk to King? What decisions did I make? But I don’t want to think about decisions, just my case” (270). 1. Why do Steve and Kathy O’Brien talk about appeals even before the verdict is delivered?
2. What verdict does the jury deliver
a. for King:
b. for Steve:
3. How does O’Brien react to Steve after the verdict is delivered?
4. Why do you think that Steve chooses to end the movie in the way that she does?
Sentence from text
Desperation-270
“There was a look of desperation on
her face”
Transcribed-275
“He has transcribed the images and
conversations as he remembers them”
Distorted-276
“…Her face distorted with the
tension of the moment”
Pensive-276
“Her lips tense; she is pensive”
Definition
1. How has the trial and experience continued to affect Steve? (2 sentences)
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2. What is the theme of Monster? Use textual support to defend your answer. (2-3 sentences)
3. Analyze how playwrights and authors use particular elements of drama and stories (e.g. setting and
dialogue) to create dramatic tension in a play or story. Use a specific character’s actions that portray
who they are as support. (3-4 sentences)
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Monster Study Guide
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ABC Drama/Screenplay Group Project
In order to show an understanding of the elements, techniques and types of Drama, as well as their
knowledge of Monster, students will create an ABC Project. When complete, this project will show student
knowledge through identification, use, and application of Drama/Screenplay terms as they relate to the text,
Monster.
Directions: For this project students will work either in pairs or in small groups (up to 4 students). In turn,
students will work both in and out of class to ~
•
Divide up the letters of the alphabet evenly among group.
•
Determine ONE relevant Drama/Screenplay term for each letter of the alphabet. Students must use a
mixture of terms related to drama (notes and packet) and terms related to Monster (found in packet)
•
Students MUST use at least 10 Drama/Screenplay terms and 10 Monster terms
•
Characters are NOT an option for this project
•
For more challenging letters (Q, X, U, and K) students can “modify” the term.
•
The final project needs to be put all together and make a complete alphabet.
•
The final product can be a power point, typed, or hand-drawn.
Requirements:
1. Students need to come up with a related term for each letter. (26 points)
2. Then, they have to define the word. (26 points)
3. Students must use three sentences to show how the term relates back to the book, Monster. (26 points)
4. Lastly, students must include a picture that represents the term. (26 points)
5. Students MUST use appropriate spelling, punctuation and grammar. (26 points)
6. Students MUST make their project visually attractive (use of color or shading) and interesting to read. (26
points)
TOTAL POINTS: 156 points
FINAL DUE DATE: _______________________________
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Writing with Absolute Phrases
Definition: a sentence part describing the rest of the sentence in which it appears. Absolutes are almost
complete sentences. As a test, you can make every absolute a sentence by adding was or were.
Example: He sat down at the table, the cup in both hands, and tried to think.
Hal Borland, When the Legends Die
Another way to identify an absolute is that often absolutes begin with these words: my, his, her, its, our, their
(possessive pronouns). The pronoun can be stated or implied.
Examples:
Visible possessive pronoun: The old willow tree was enormous, its sprawling branches going up like reaching
arms with many long-fingered hands. (The word its is visible before sprawling branches, stated not implied.)
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Invisible possessive pronoun: An old man was standing before them, wide, pale eyes shining like moons
through the gloom of the shop. (The word his is invisible before wide, pale eyes, implied not stated.)
Underline the single absolutes and write whether they have Stated or Implied pronouns:
Single Absolutes:
1. His heart beating very fast, Harry stood listening to the chilly silence.
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone
2. Patrick, book in hand, was at another shelf, looking at English soldiers of differing periods.
Lynne Reid Banks, The Return of the Indian
3. Radley had been leaning against the wall when I came into the room, his arms folded across his chest.
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Multiple Absolutes:
4. The newcomers so forlorn, and the old dog team so worn out, the outlook was anything but bright.
Jack London, The Call of the Wild
5. Mr. Barnett, his face red and eyes bulging, immediately pounced on her.
Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
6. In the quiet, I heard them beyond the corral, Cyclone barking and the lamb making its kind of noise and the
ewe making her kind of noise.
Joseph Krumgold, And Now Miguel
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Unscrambling to Imitate
Model: The raptor struck out with its hind claws, and with a single swift movement ripped open the belly of the
fallen animal, coils of intestine falling out, like fat snakes.
Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
took down the tree in the front yard
pieces of branches blowing everywhere
and in the very first moment
like crazy arrows
the storm broke out with a lightning crack
Answer:
Own:
Combining to Imitate
Model: They all fell silent, the hobbit standing by the grey stone and the dwarves watching impatiently.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
a. The victors all became frenzied.
b. The fans were yelling from their bleachers.
c. And the players were cheering deafeningly.
Answer:
Own:
Imitating
1. Washed and refreshed, the hobbits were seated at the table, two on each side.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Sample: Coached and conditioned, the finalists were standing at the high diving board, Albert at the head.
Own:
2. There, his black robes rippling in a cold breeze, stood Severus Snape.
Sample: Upside down, his loose change falling from his pants pocket, dangled Devon Smith.
Own:
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3. Charles Wallace, in yellow footed pajamas, his fresh wounds band-aided, his small nose looking puffy and
red, lay on the foot of Meg’s big brass bed, his head pillowed on the shiny black bulk of Fortinbras the dog.
Madeleine L’Engle, A Wind in the Door
Sample: The trick-or-treater, in knight’s regalia, his sword unsheathed, his dashing costume appearing
authentic and colorful, stood on the doorstep of the next-door neighbor’s house, his finger pressed on the little
doorbell of Mrs. Jackson the neighbor.
Own:
Expanding
Below are sentences with the absolute phrases omitted at the caret mark (^). For each caret, add an absolute
phrase, blending your content and style with the rest of the sentence.
1. This was a room about fifteen feet by twenty five, its dimensions appropriate^.
John Christopher, The Guardians
Answer:
2. The skeleton I had uncovered lay curled on its side, its fingers clutching a long fallen treasure ^.
R.L. Stine, Ghost Beach
Answer:
3. For a few seconds, Harry and his Uncle Vernon, with hands around Harry’s neck, struggled, his face turning
blue ^, and Uncle Vernon thrashing violently ^. (Add two absolute phrases.)
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Answer:
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