The Street Lawyer

Trace the patterns of Michael’s, Mordecai’s, and Drake & Sweeney’s language in reference to people without homes. How is each character’s language different, and what are the effects of the tone and language they use? How and why has the language regarding unhoused people changed since the 1990s?

How does Grisham use Michael and Claire’s relationship as a symbolic parallel to Michael’s occupational and personal journeys? What insight into Michael does this technique give the reader?

Several times during the novel, Michael says that he is in awe of Mordecai’s gift for storytelling. What message does Grisham send through Mordecai about the power of stories, particularly as it relates to the idea that Justice Is Relative?

Although he never states it overtly, there are times when Michael thinks of himself as the “bad guy.” Discuss the context of these instances and their significance in Michael’s arc as a character.

Just after the Mister incident, Polly informs Michael of the reporters outside, and, in an aside to the reader, Michael says, “Ah, yes, the media. What a story! Not just your garden-variety, on-the-job shooting, but a bunch of lawyers held by a street crazy” (24). This comment is sardonic verbal irony—the signature of Michael’s narrative voice—meant to criticize the sensationalism of the media. Compare and contrast Michael’s tone when narrating asides for the reader to his interactions with the other characters. What does this disconnect reveal about Michael’s character? What motivates these asides, and why does he not voice them aloud?

Toward the end of the novel, Grisham interrupts Mordecai and Michael’s story to insert the shooting of Congressman Burkholder. What is the significance of this incident in context of the novel as a whole? Why do you think Grisham chose to place it in this part of the narrative?

What message does the novel send about the relationship between work ethic and success? Does the novel endorse workaholism or reject it? Consider the characterization of Michael, Claire, and Mordecai in your answer.

This entire story is a retelling of the classic tale of David versus Goliath. Does Grisham suggest it is possible for David to win when pitted against Goliath, metaphorically speaking? If so, under what circumstances? What tools would David need to beat Goliath, and how should he acquire them? Should others get involved in their battle? If so, when, and how? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.