When Mrs. Harmon visited Steve, she brought him a Bible.
Mrs. Harmon's visit to Steve was a significant moment, providing him not only with a physical item but also crucial emotional support during a challenging time.
Details of Mrs. Harmon's Visit
During her visit, Mrs. Harmon presented Steve with a Bible, intending for him to engage with it. This gesture extended beyond simply providing a book; it was a profound expression of her belief in his innocence and an act of comfort.
Here are the key aspects of her visit and the item she brought:
- A Bible: Mrs. Harmon's primary gift to Steve was a Bible. This suggests a desire to provide spiritual guidance or solace.
- A Request to Read: She specifically asked Steve to read a verse from the Bible to her, indicating an expectation of interaction with the text.
- Expressions of Belief: More importantly, Mrs. Harmon explicitly assured Steve that she believed he was innocent, regardless of what others might say or think.
- Reinforcement of Support: This visit reinforced Steve's understanding that his mother firmly believed he had done nothing wrong, offering him a much-needed sense of unwavering support.
Significance of the Gift and Visit
The Bible, in this context, served as more than just a religious text. It symbolized Mrs. Harmon's enduring faith—both in her son's innocence and perhaps in a higher power to guide him through his ordeal. Her request for him to read from it could be interpreted as an attempt to connect with him on a deeper, more personal level and to offer a source of strength or reflection.
Ultimately, Mrs. Harmon's visit and her gift of a Bible were less about the physical object itself and more about the powerful message of unconditional love, belief, and support she conveyed to Steve during a period of intense uncertainty and isolation. This information highlights the dynamic within the narrative of Monster by Walter Dean Myers, a powerful work often studied for its themes of identity, truth, and perception.
For more details on the narrative and character interactions, you can refer to literary analyses here.
