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In Monster, what reason does Steve allude to regarding why he might have participated in the robbery?

Steve mentions several times throughout the novel that he wanted to be tough like James King, Richard "Bobo" Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz. He alludes to the idea that bravado and being respected as a tough individual are why he chose to participate in the conspiracy to rob the store.


During one of the flashback scenes, Osvaldo Cruz makes fun of Steve by calling him a faggot. Another neighborhood boy mentions that Steve hangs out with some bad dudes. Osvaldo then says,



"He don’t hang with nobody. He’s just a lame looking for a name. Ain’t that right, Steve? Ain’t that right?" (Myers 86).



Osvaldo's comments upset Steve, and the reader acknowledges the fact that an attack on Steve's masculinity bothers him.


On Thursday, July 9th, James King is seated next to Steve before they enter the courtroom and attempts to scare Steve by giving him an intimidating look. Steve mentions,



"All the times I had looked at him and wanted to be tough like him, and now I saw him sitting in handcuffs and trying to scare me" (Myers 101).



On Friday, July 10th, Steve is forced to mop the corridors with four other inmates. Steve mentions that the odor from the disinfectant starts to make him gag, and he tries his best to keep from vomiting. While he's mopping, Steve begins to think about what his attorney, Kathy O'Brien, told him about trying to make himself seem different in the eyes of the jury. Steve begins to think about being different from Bobo, Osvaldo, and King. He says,



"It was me, I thought as I tried not to throw up, that had wanted to be tough like them" (Myers 135).


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