The Firm

What are the reasons Mitch reconsiders Bendini, Lambert & Locke? How much impact does the financial package have on Mitch and Abby’s decision to choose the firm? What motivations did they both have to ignore the red flags that came up before they moved to Memphis?

How does the firm treat the associates’ wives? Would the treatment of the associates’ wives be considered appropriate today? Why is there an emphasis on beginning a family? How does this tactic help and hurt the firm? How would the pressure to start a family be received in modern times?

When compared, how different are Mitch and his brother? How alike are they? What does Ray’s influence over Mitch say about his character? Why does Mitch insist on taking Ray with him when he escapes the FBI and the Morolto family? Provide evidence for your answer by using quotations from the novel.

Parental roles influence Mitch as he mentions his in-laws’ dislike for him and visits his mother. How do these relationships influence Mitch’s motivations? How does Mitch’s interactions with Abby’s parents highlight his reasons for choosing Bendini, Lambert & Locke? Why does Mitch set up a bank account for his mother without speaking with her within the context of the plot? How do parents play a role in shaping the thoughts, feelings, and actions of their adult children in the novel?

When Mitch is initially approached by the FBI, what does he think about the situation? Why doesn’t Mitch initially tell Abby? Why doesn’t Mitch tell the firm the second time the FBI approaches him? Why does Mitch show reluctance when he is approached by FBI Director F. Denton Voyles? What motivates Mitch to negotiate with the FBI?

Why does Mitch believe Avery gets away with drinking and womanizing? Why does Mitch join him? When a woman comes on to Mitch, why does he send her away, only to join another woman on the beach? What does this say about him? Why does Mitch decide not to tell Abby about his bad behavior? How does the trip to Grand Cayman illustrate Mitch’s character? Provide examples from the text to support your argument.

How does DeVasher’s images of Mitch with a sex worker impact his relationship with Abby? How does Grisham employ doubt as to whether Abby saw the photos? How would Mitch and Abby’s relationship changed if Abby confronted Mitch? Why doesn’t Mitch speak to Abby himself?

Who is Tammy Hemphill? Why is she willing to help Mitch? What role does she play in Mitch’s final scheme? How important is she to Mitch’s escape? How does Mitch secure her safety?