A Literary Analysis of the Teen Novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers Essay

Education 521 Midterm PaperThe teen novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers resonates many similarities to the UNC Hospital School and the students experiences there. Steve Harmon, a sixteen-year-old convicted of armed robbery and murder must face imprisonment and stand trial while facing his own inner demons. Similarly, students at the hospital school face time away from their family and friends while reflecting on their psychological illness and how to feel better before returning to their normal lives. The characters, themes, and plot of Monsters all reflect different aspects of students and staff at the Hospital School and the situations they face on a daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly basis.The main characters in the book all hold similarities to people at the Hospital School. Steve Harmon symbolizes all of the students currently staying for extended periods of time in the psychiatric unit of the hospital. A large majority of the students have tendencies towards violence, suicide, depression, and extreme sadness or fear. Steve experiences all of these emotions throughout the story. In his first journal entry when describing his experience in jail and the fear he feels is similar to students when they first arrive at the hospital school. Many of them are reluctant to cooperate with their doctors and teachers and think they will never get used to the different atmosphere that they have been thrown into. Many students dont understand why they have been hospitalized and become increasingly angry with their situation this is similar to the hateful feelings Steve is having in his second journal entry. The continued frustration Steve feels that he cannot express himself in jail, like when he denies himself the opportunity to speak with a preacher or go to the bathroom, and his feelings his voice isnt being heard in court, both resonate with students at the hospital school. Many of the students feel that they could not fully be themselves in their public schools or in...

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