Analyzing The Character Of Steve Harmon In Walter Dean Myers's 'Monster'

Elianah Vazquez
Mrs. Juhas
1/2
2-10-23
Good
What is a good person? Steve Harmon is on trial for robbery, and murder. Steve is 16 years old and lives in Harlem, New York. Steve is a good person because he cares, loves, and wants the world to be better. In the novel, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, Steve Harmon was a good person because he was not guilty, and he cares for others. Steve Harmon was a good person because he was found not guilty. During the court trial, Kathy O’brien made a statement to the jury. Kathy O’brien states, “‘Innocent until proven guilty.’” (Myers 26-27). When O’brien said this it meant that Steve is innocent until he is proven guilty. This statement was highly important because the jury could’ve judged him by the way he looks. This statement proves that no one is fully sure that he is guilty or not. This makes Steve a good person because when you read, later in the novel Steve was found innocent. Also, Steve writes about Mr. Nesbitt. In the book Steve writes, “I

When someone hangs out with a certain kind of group their actions can be an influence on him. If Steve is hanging out with these people, they are probably always talking about stealing things. However, just because Steve is friends with bad people that doesn’t mean he is a bad person. Therefore, Steve was a good person. Steve is a good person because he wants the world to be better. This is proved when Mr. Sawicki testifies. In the novel Mr. Sawicki testifies stating, “‘He’s very much involved with depicting his neighborhood and environment in a positive manner.’” (Myers 235). Throughout the novel there weren't a lot of people that testified about Steve. In fact, there were probably only three people. This statement that Sawicki has stated helps even more that Steve is a good person, not just because he was found not guilty, or he is caring, but he really wants the world to be a better