The Players
This 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker is the protagonist currently on trial for felony murder.
Who is Steve Harmon?
Monster, adapted by Guy A. Sims, uses this visual storytelling medium, combining text with panel illustrations.
What is a graphic novel?
This is the specific crime for which Steve Harmon and James King are being tried.
What is felony murder?
The central question of the trial—whether Steve did it or not—revolves around this theme.
What is innocence versus guilt?
This legal term refers to a person who helps commit a crime but may not be the one who does the main act.
What is an accomplice?
She is the lead prosecutor who labels the defendants "monsters" during her opening statement.
Who is Sandra Petrocelli?
When Steve remembers a conversation with his film teacher, Mr. Sawicki, the story is using this device to go back in time.
What is a flashback?
The robbery took place in this type of local business owned by Mr. Nesbitt.
What is a drugstore?
Steve’s struggle to recognize himself in the jail mirror explores the theme of "Who am I?", also known as this.
What is identity?
Petrocelli uses this word to describe the "deadly" result of the robbery.
What is fatal?
Steve’s defense attorney, she tells him her job is to make him look "human" in the eyes of the jury.
Who is Kathy O'Brien?
The title of Steve’s movie, "Monster," serves as this, representing how the world perceives him versus who he really is.
What is a symbol? Will accept What is a metaphor?
According to the prosecution, Steve’s specific job in the robbery was to act as this.
What is a lookout?
The prosecutor’s use of the word "Monster" to describe young Black men highlights this theme of prejudice and labeling.
What is dehumanization? acceptable: What is racism?
This 10-letter word describes a witness’s formal statement given under oath in court.
What is testimony?
This co-defendant is older than Steve and is accused of being the one who actually struggled with Mr. Nesbitt.
Who is James King?
The contrast between the cold, structured courtroom and the chaotic, violent prison cells is an example of this device.
What is juxtaposition?
This prisoner testifies early on, claiming he bought stolen cigarettes from "Bobo" Evans to get a lighter sentence for another crime.
Who is Wendell Bolden?
The way witnesses like Zinzi and Bolden trade information for shorter sentences highlights the theme of "Self-" this.
What is self-interest? Acceptable: What is betrayal?
When a lawyer "objects" to a question, the judge may "overrule" it or use this word to agree with the lawyer.
What is sustain?
A 14-year-old member of the Diablos gang who testifies that he participated in the robbery because he was "afraid" of Bobo Evans.
Who is Osvaldo Cruz?
In Steve’s screenplay, the "C.U." (Close Up) on his own terrified face is a visual form of this, showing his internal state without words.
What is characterization?
This is the reason Osvaldo Cruz gives for joining the Diablos, which required him to "slash" someone’s face.
What is an initiation?
Steve’s film teacher argues that "truth" in film is about this, a theme that mirrors Steve's struggle to tell his own story honestly.
What is perspective?
This term describes the "presumption" that a defendant is not guilty until proven otherwise.
What is "innocent until proven guilty"?