The theme of deformity regarding the importance of appearance appears early in Stephen Crane's "The Monster." These subtle descriptions foreshadow future events in the story. More specifically at the beginning of the story, Jimmie destroys a peony while playing outside and attempts to straighten it but fails. This scene symbolizes and foreshadows many other aspects of the story. For one thing, it can symbolize Henry's literal and physical transition from "man" to "monster." It may also foreshadow various relationships within the city deteriorating. Both, however, contribute to the story's overall theme of deformity. In terms of Henry's literal transition to becoming the town monster, it begins right after the fire when he is presumed dead by the townspeople. His death is announced in the morning paper before anyone thinks twice on the grounds that “…he could not live. His body was horribly burned, but above all he no longer had a face” (18). The simple fact that Henry had no face was reason enough for the city to consider him already dead. This foreshadows the city's future actions as they marginalize Henry and those who defend him. Henry's loss of face is even too much for fellow black Alex Williams to handle. For example, in a conversation between Judge Hagenthorpe and Alek Williams, the two discuss Mr. Williams' concerns about his children, explaining that Henry is keeping the children from eating. He describes to the judge how “People are going around saying he's not Hennery Johnson at all. They say he's the devil” (22)! This type of gossip among the townspeople further pushes Henry's transition into a monster. While the judge tells him to ignore what the town says, Williams' response is simply that Henry... middle of paper... to his friends, Jimmie accepts their challenge and does so. This scene once again shows how Johnson is dehumanized by Jimmie and his friends. In a way this event serves as a smaller-scale version of what is happening in the city as a whole. For Jimmie, his status within the friend group is now more important than his relationship with Henry. Jimmie's newly warped relationship with Henry then points to the relationships Henry has with the rest of the town as the story progresses. Overall, we see the overall theme of deformity develop throughout the story. Not only does Henry's literal transition from small-town man to "scary" monster emerge, but his relationship with the various characters in the story, particularly with Jimmie, also emerges. The story serves to demonstrate that deformity is a powerful thing and that the real “monster” may not even look like it at all..