You, the Juror
When you read O’Brien’s final argument–and then Petrocelli’s final agument–both sides of Steve’s case become clear. Would you have acquitted Steve if you were a juror in this trial?
Is Steve different than the others?
Steve’s only hope in the trial is that the jury will see him differently than his peers. Does his attorney see him differently from James King, Bobo, and Osvaldo? Why does she refuse to heg him after he is acquitted? How is he different? Is he at all the same?
Equally guilty?
On page 260, prosecutor Sandra Petrocelli says, “They ar all equally guilty. The one who grabbed the cigarettes, the one who wrestled for th gun, the one who check the place to see if the coast was clear.” Do you agree with that? In your opinion, is it as bad to be a conspirator in a crime as it is to commit the actual crime? Why or why not?
Screenplay format
Monster is a novel written in a screenplay format with Steve’s journal entries mixed in throughout. Do you think this is an effective format for the book? Why or why not?
Prediction
How do you think this story will end? Give support for your prediction.
False testimony
Give two reasons why you think someone might testify falsely in court? You need to give examples and reasons in a short paragraph. Remember to start with a topic sentence and end with a concluding sentence.
