Kody Scott, also known as "Monster" for his cruelty in beating a man and further crimes, forms a realistic and brutal picture of gang violence in America. Throughout his story, Scott sees his gang's participation as the only viable means of survival. The killing occurs through the need to promote oneself to become an OG, or Original Gangster, the pinnacle of gang member status and success. The urge to become an OG seems to be paramount in Scott's eyes, and he outlines his plan: first he must build his reputation, then his influence as part of his set, and finally as a "promoter" for the Crips (Shakur, 1993, pp. 14-15). At the age of eleven Scott's only wish is to become a member of his local gang, the Eight Trays. He ignores education, stating at one point that he pays no attention to his middle school teacher, focusing only on the streets and his “home boys” as a source of lifestyle and adventure (Shakur, 1993, pp. 3- 4). He clearly achieves his goal, putting his entire mental and physical being into the role of gangster, even if it leads to a life marked by violence and prison sentences. While many factors can be cited to show the reasons why an individual would be drawn to such violence, ethology remains the most accurate theory in explaining the many facets of gang violence by showing the parallels between animal behavior and the lifestyle of gangs. gang members. Ethology also attempts to explain the violence exhibited by humans as corresponding to the violence exhibited by animals. For predatory animals, violence is necessary to survive and adaptation to the surrounding environment is vital. Genetically humans are closest to chimpanzees, who "routinely engage in murder, murder, rape, raids... middle of paper... cause of promoted street warfare and personal gains of status and further violence . Kody Scott's account of the Los Angeles street war he witnessed and played a dramatic role in is punctuated by the reasons behind his deviant behavior and adherence to a lifestyle centered on violence. Studying the behavioral patterns of animals in ethology, the traits of predatory animals that must fight and defend themselves to survive have the same intensity as the battle to survive in the case of Monster's reality. Each of Monster's actions proved to be grounded in the culture he was born into along with his personal desire to see his acts of violence glorified. Without the drive to commit to a rational lifestyle, Kody is drawn into the vortex of gang banging, all his twisted faculties accepted due to an equally twisted and antisocial personality..