Monster Chapter Summary & Analysis | Chapter 12, December 5 Months Later

Chapter 12, December 5 Months Later Summary

Steve writes about how he is filming himself from different angles as he attempts to explain who he is and what he is about. His mother does not understand, and his father continues to distance himself from Steve, due to not being sure who Steve is. Steve wonders what O'Brien saw in him that caused her to turn away from his open arms.

Chapter 12, December 5 Months Later Analysis

The last chapter of this story consists of a short epilogue about what happens after the trial. Steve seems to be branded for life as a monster capable of committing terrible crimes, regardless of his not-guilty verdict. His character and self-image have been tainted by the American legal system simply for his involvement in it over a relatively short time, or is Steve actually guilty of the crime with which he was charged? Had he been a part of the robbery that turned into a murder...
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