What do Steve’s responses to other characters or events in the story reveal about him? How do they affect the plot?

Although Steve is constantly surrounded by fellow inmates, jail is the loneliest place that Steve has ever been. Due to Steve's age and the nature of his alleged crime, he is kept in a cell by himself. At night, he yearns for the comfort of his home life and his younger brother's companionship. Steve's physical state of loneliness is further exacerbated by his sense of emotional loneliness. Both in jail and in the courtroom, everyone treats Steve with suspicion, disgust, and pity. His family's reaction to his incarceration also magnifies Steve's sense of isolation. Although his family vows to support him, Steve recognizes that he has broken their sense of trust. This realization prompts Steve to feel even more distant from those he loves.