Fear

Authors note: This piece is a writing piece meant to help me achieve my goal in main idea/theme, in this writing piece i describe a theme in the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers

"It is about being alone when you are not really alone and it is about being scared all the time" (P.3) Nothing is more frightening than the fear brought upon one while in prison. Fear is constantly reoccurring in the award winning novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers. This book is about a 16 year old named Steve Harmon who is put on trial for murder. Although Steve did not commit the murder his future still depended on the decision made by the judge. The fear within Steve seems to be apparent throughout the novel.

The fear Steve feels is revealed every time he talks of his life in prison. "The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help"(P.1) Due to constant misery and stress he just wants to lie down and cry but the fear of being the one beaten at night is what keeps himself form doing so.  The fear within Steve causes him to put a strong effort into not being noticed by other prisoners. The fear of what might happen to him while in prison is one that strongly influences how he lives his life in prison.

Along with prison was the future. Steve feared his future just as much as prison. They way Steve's future was spent was going to be based off of the decision made by the judge. The law suit took days. After the second day on trial Steve's attorney did not like how the case was unfolding. She told him that the case is currently not favoring him due to a few unfair tricks played by opposing attorneys. This is when the fear of the future really hit Steve. He personally would rather not live his life than live it while in custody. Steve feared a future in prison more so than he feared the prison itself.

I found that I am capable of relating the theme of fear to Act of Valor by Tom Clancy. I am currently reading this novel and I have realized that fear is a common theme but it is usually accompanied by confidence. In Act of Valor before each mission is performed each man on the team experience the fear of what could happen in the case of failure but they are all equally confident that they will succeed. Fear is also shown in all of the hostages rescued by the SEAL's. It is common that fear is the only emotion present in those who are being held captive. Fear is a common theme in both novels.

This novel is obviously not the only one were fear is a reoccurring theme. Fear was a very strong theme in Monster. It influenced numerous decisions and actions made by the main character. The Fear within Steve was apparent throughout the novel.