After reading the novel, “The Runaway Jury,” by John Grisham, I now see the literary genius that John Grisham truly is and how he meticulously constructs his plot in a manner that each significant event leads to another, highlighting all of the character’s behaviors and motives. He writes the novel in such a way that everything relies on everything else, in a way that every individual scene hinges on the parts of the previous one. For this reason, I think that Grisham’s development of the story is sufficient and shouldn’t be changed. His ending is absolutely suspenseful, as Marlee tells him that he’ll be seeing her and Nicholas around in a couple of years at another trial that will most likely be similar to the last one. Also, Marlee and Fitch meeting up for lunch to discuss post-trial matters is symbolic of all of their previous meetings throughout the novel, in which  they were working together to try and provide a unanimous verdict without confrontations. If the reader is finding this book to be a difficult read, then they should start out by taking some critical thinking classes and then play some memorization games. Readers that have a hard time reading this book obviously have trouble thinking analytically and shouldn’t ridicule the book’s plot scheme, as the story jumps from event to event, relying on the knowledge of the reader. For this reason, those individual’s opinions regarding the plots “confusion” should be disregarded, as Grisham has already pieced together a masterpiece. After completing this book, along with 9 journals discussing multiple aspects of this book, I would strongly recommend everyone to read this book, that is if they’re willing to sit down and relax to 550 pages of sheer suspense and excellence. The construction of the sentences and the way in which the plot relies on itself both contribute to the works’ excellence, an amazing read if the necessary amount of time is taken to do so.

“‘When did you set this plan in motion’ (Pg. 549)?” – As Fitch interrogates Marlee about how long their plan has been in effect, the themes of manipulation and deception are both brought up. Manipulation and deception are natural to a human’s behavior, no matter the location, time, or who is involved. This is the common theme that John Grisham is revealing in his novel, “The Runaway Jury,” as everyone of his main characters are working non-stop to manipulate others into supporting and believing their motives for providing a verdict for the tobacco litigation trial. Although Marlee and Nicholas’s plan has carried throughout the entire novel, Fitch knows that their plan has been in effect for numerous years prior to the trial and thus, raises the question as to how long they have been planning this plot. Fitch has obviously lost both money and the little manipulation game that has taken place between Marlee and Nicholas and Fitch. He has been unfortunate enough as to lose so much after he has caused so much loss himself. He caused Marlee’s life immense devastation, as she lived in poverty and bankruptcy, he burned down Nicholas’s apartment, and he even lost some of his own agents to their false identities and fraudulent actions. Due to his own ignorance and greed, he caused his own demise that he will now have to suffer through, even though this seems to be a part of human nature. Despite this trial taking place in Biloxi, Mississippi, which is a part of the “always honest” South, these humans have been lying and deceiving others by any means deemed necessary, even if bribery or murder is committed. Amusingly, murder wasn’t committed, but arson was! This reveals the severity of how manipulative these people have become and how they have no regard for anything that they do. Ultimately, this ties right into the theme, as the manipulation and deception increases until a final verdict is proposed and brought before the judge and his final commands, no matter who it pertains to or what time or location it takes place at.

Honesty/Deceit – Throughout “The Runaway Jury,” Grisham uses almost all of the characters to manipulate and deceive in one way or another; however, Judge Harkin is one of the few men who are determined to remain honest, which is a crucial part of his integrity. Judge Harkin strives to keep the jury, along with it’s lawyers, under the hammer of truth, as he reminds them daily to not discuss the trial outside of the courtroom or else suffer the repercussions. With Marlee and Nicholas working against Fitch and his associates, deceit has become their game, as they are attempting to manipulate each other, including the the jurors responsible for delivering a verdict with Nicholas. Despite the trials location in Biloxi, Mississippi, which is a  part of the “always honest” South, everyone is trying to convert other people, whether it’s through bribery or lying, two things that Judge Harkin would never do to the jury in a tobacco litigation trial as massive as this one.

Hope/Despair – As Celeste Wood is rewarded with 2 million dollars in compensatory damages and the defense is slammed with a 400 million dollar punitive damage verdict, there is hope for the plaintiff’s side, while the defense is sent into a state of despair. What caused this verdict to be created was the support that Nicholas and Marlee gave the plaintiff’s side. At first, they appeared to be siding with the defense, however, they revealed how they were going to be in support of the plaintiff’s side because of their plan to seek revenge for Marlee’s devastated childhood. With Fitch behind these schemes, Nicholas and Marlee pursued a verdict that would cost him and his associates the largest amount of money, something that would leave them in despair.

Guilty/Innocent – As the tobacco litigation trial continues to progress, the verdict is being created to go against whoever is guilty or innocent, whether that be the defense or the plaintiff’s side. Due to the plaintiff’s side providing such elite doctors and their informative speeches over the effects of cigarettes on the body and how false advertising hooks more people, the jurors lean towards their side. Even after the defense tries to counteract the plaintiff’s statements, the jurors side with Nicholas and Marlee, making the defense the guilty ones liable for the death of Jacob Wood and the plaintiff’s side as the innocent ones.

Changeable/Constant – Although Nicholas and Marlee are constant in their methods, just as Fitch hopes to be, the jurors and everyone surrounding and/or affiliated with them is able to be changed. As their plan progresses, Fitch becomes their little minion who gives in to every want or need that is necessary to the advancement of their plan, something that causes him to become a changeable character when Nicholas and Marlee remain constant. This applies to the ending of the plot, too, as Nicholas and Marlee’s motives are revealed at the end as if they have changed, when in reality they were simply covering up their plot for revenge against Fitch and the devastation that he caused to Marlee’s childhood.

Failure/Success – In finally accomplishing the creation of their verdict against the defense, Nicholas and Marlee have finished as successes, whereas Fitch and his associates have failed. Ultimately, determining who failed and succeeded in this novel is based off of who was the greatest manipulator or deceiver, which clearly declares Nicholas and Marlee as the victors. They were able to create a verdict against the defense that costs Fitch millions of dollars, giving Marlee the satisfaction of watching Fitch suffer, just as she did as a child.

1) Humans have a natural tendency to manipulate others into doing something that they want. – As Nicholas strives to provide the greatest verdict against the defense, he becomes the great manipulator, changing everyone’s opinions and motives in favor of his very own. Despite some of the elders remaining steadfast in their opinions, many of the jurors are fickle and therefore, Nicholas converted them to his side with ease. Working with his assistant, Marlee, Nicholas amplifies his chances at making a verdict against the defense and even the possibility of raising the amount of punitive damage money to an outrageous sum. Even with Fitch always attempting to intervene and cause destruction to his case, Nicholas is able to prevail, along with the help he receives from Marlee.

2) Humans have a natural tendency to desire something that they can’t always obtain. – Fitch, who is the jury consultant, wants a verdict against the plaintiff’s side, so that he and his tobacco companies are not effected or sent bankrupt. However, with the opposition that he  faces from Marlee and Nicholas, this seems impossible and is actually made that way. Fitch is unable to outwit or out-develop Nicholas and Marlee, as they have spent years creating an impervious plan that only they can accomplish themselves. This contributes to the fact that Fitch can’t achieve what he desires to have, that is the verdict against the plaintiff’s side and not his own. However, his own efforts to manipulate others have sort of had a negative reversal on himself, causing him to fail and fall into the lull of Marlee and Nicholas’s plan. He has given into their demands and motives, revealing his loss of what he truly desired to obtain for his own greed.

3) Humans have a natural tendency to deceive others, either about themselves or other matters. – Marlee, who is Nicholas’s fellow collaborator and parter, is working on the outside of the courtroom, along with Nicholas on the inside, to provide the greatest verdict against the defense, which opposes Fitch and his associates. However, the ways in which Marlee deceives others is simply astonishing, as Fitch and his agents can’t find a single piece of information from her past. The only leads that they have found so far are that Marlee is her alias and that she has changed her name 2-3 times. At first glance, Marlee appears to be this innocent, beautiful young woman, yet she is actually a deceitful woman thinking through her well-developed plan and how she is going to succeed at it. In the end, everyone thinks that Marlee is simply working with Nicholas just to provide a verdict against the defense, when in actuality she is simply getting revenge on Fitch for causing her family to collapse into an impoverished state, after her  sister committed suicide, her family sued the gun company, and they lost.

1) “Though taken from a distance of forty yards by a man dodging rather heavy mall foot traffic, the photo was clear and revealed a nice face, clean-shaven (Pg. 1).” – This quote begins the story with a description of the main character,  Nicholas Easter, who has finished 2 years of Law School and understands the manipulative tactics that anyone and everyone can make. Here, an undercover photographer, who has been noticed by Nicholas, is attempting to capture some images of Nicholas, so that he can relay this information to Fitch and make sure their jury selection has been meticulously picked and created. The way in which Nicholas just goes about his day, even when he knows that this agent has slipped up is hilarious and reveals just how intelligent and observant that Easter is.

2) “It was a perfect spot to end the day (Pg. 118).” – After Dr. Bronsky’s lecture and informative speech about the effects of nicotine on the body and how manipulative that these tobacco manufacturing companies are, Nicholas comments with this quote. The major reason for Nicholas to respond in this manner reveals his mysterious persona, as he knows how his plan is supposed function and he acknowledges this doctor’s speech with satisfaction. Nicholas is just as deceptive as these other jurors and lawyers and he is portraying his intelligence and understanding of everything that is taking place in favor of his plan with Marlee through his personal thoughts.

3) “‘The tobacco companies spent millions selecting us, and now they’re spending even more to watch us’ (Pg. 174).” – Even after Nicholas notices these undercover agents that are monitoring him, he makes a point to reveal this to his fellow jurors. On top of listing these facts, Easter also explicitly addresses the issue of these tobacco companies spending millions of dollars to select their ideal jury, including millions to spy and watch the jurors, too. It’s amusing that these tobacco companies’ sly and undercover actions are being noticed by Nicholas, as he relays this information to all of his fellow jurors.

4) “That was the nearest Herman Grimes came to discussing any aspect of the case (Pg. 238).” – Herman Grimes, who is the blind man foreman of the jury, abides strictly to the rules, just as a martinet would. He breaks none of the tort laws and respectfully listens to anything and everything that the judge states. For this reason, Herman refuses to discuss the tobacco litigation trial outside of the courtroom and everyone is astonished to hear him talk about his opinion on the trial when they are under sequestration. Eventually, Marlee eliminates him from the jury with a heart attack, but Herman still remains mute, as well as blind, to the trial and the information regarding it.

5) “The ignition was rapid and virtually silent, at least to anyone who might have been listening outside (Pg. 292).” – As Fitch and his associates continue to obtain information pertaining to all of the jurors, they set Nicholas’s apartment on fire because they are ridding Nicholas of the evidence that is necessary to accuse them of arson, as well as to rid him of the evidence that is helping to to create the greatest verdict against the defense. This brutish act of stupidity has highlighted Fitch and his associates’ plans and how their undercover schemes have been noticed and that they are in potential danger of law suits, too.

6) “‘Look, Fitch, what are the chances of us getting together for a little chat, private you know, without all your goons ducking behind bushes’ (Pg. 350).” – Just as her partner, Nicholas, has noticed all of Fitch’s agents working undercover to obtain necessary information for Fitch, Marlee has explicitly stated that she has noticed all of Fitch’s “goons” hiding behind bushes and other obstacles, one reason that Marlee can give an excuse not to ever be seen again. It’s funny to see how much control that Marlee has, too and how she is able to conduct all of their operations at a moments notice.

7) “She removed the same sensor-scan from it, and aimed it at Fitch from head to toe… ‘Yeah right, you’re clean’ (Pg. 423).” – Once again, we see Marlee’s “always in control” personality and how she basically controls everything that takes place, including her and Fitch’s meetings. She makes sure that Fitch has come truthfully, in terms of meeting with no hidden cameras or mics, as well as his agents snooping on their every word. This reveals the human insecurity with regards to manipulation and deception being rampant with no escape from it.

8) “‘And remember, Fitch, next time you boys go to trial, we’ll be there (Pg. 550).” – This final statement from Marlee to Fitch accumulates all of the events of the story and basically foreshadows the coming of another trial similar to this one. Marlee and Nicholas have collaborated together, in order to create the greatest verdict against the defense by manipulating others through deception, just as Fitch has worked and failed to do himself. The certainty of Marlee living up to this quote is extremely high, as she will continue to work with her deceptive motives and how Nicholas will be at her side the rest of the way.

9) “‘And we, the jury, find for the plaintiff, Celeste Wood, and award punitive damages in the amount of four hundred million dollars’ (Pg. 536).” – After Celeste Wood is awarded 2 million dollars in compensatory damages, this additional part of the final verdict is laid upon the defense, as all of the tobacco companies are having to fork up this large amount of money to pay for the damages caused for their nicotine packed cigarettes. Also, this quotes captures the essence of what Marlee and Nicholas were striving to work for: the greatest verdict against the defense that would cause them to pay the largest amount of money.

10) “Sequestration of a jury was a rare, radical event, made necessary by extraordinary circumstances, and almost always used in sensational murder cases (Pg. 190).” – As Judge Harkin knows what he is about to do, he understands that the sequestration of the jury has really only occurred during murder trials, not tobacco litigation trials. However, due to the actions of the jurors and how talkative they have become over the trial when they’re to remain silent outside of the courtroom, Judge Harkin is basically forced to go through with this decision. Although it may not appease the jury, the manipulation through deception that is rampant is somewhat contained by the Judge’s order, a vital part to this suspenseful novel.

In the novel, “The Runaway Jury,” John Grisham uses a man by the name of Nicholas Easter to be a part of the jury in a tobacco litigation trial that could have the domino effect for many years to come. Not knowing much about his life, Grisham informs us of Nicholas’s background in Law School, with only 2 years being completed. Even though he just works as a photographer/journalist, Easter is still able to identify those individuals that are spying on him, despite their best efforts to remain undetected. He is able to point out their flaws in manipulation and deception, as his own manipulation and deception prevails over all others, along side the mysterious Marlee. As these two work together, their main goal is to provide the greatest verdict for the plaintiff’s side that will cost the defense hundreds of millions. On top of this reason, Marlee and Nicholas are working to provide this verdict in an attempt at revenge, after Marlee’s sister committed suicide when she was younger, her family sued the gun company and lost, and they discovered that Fitch was behind it all, leaving them bankrupt and impoverished. This is the great change in the main character, as Nicholas was, at first, working to provide a verdict, but then he changed his motives that reveal how him and Marlee simply wanted to avenge Marlee’s loss as a child. This is their attempt to receive their own compensations for her deprived life and how they’re working to make Fitch’s life ten times more difficult than it is now, especially after he has basically turned himself in to the judge, listing all of his faults and disobedience of the legal laws that he has sworn an oath to. Ultimately, Marlee and Nicholas accomplish the tasks that they wish to achieve, with no regard for laws and manipulation being their primary tool.

In the novel, “The Runaway Jury,” John Grisham uses the protagonist, Nicholas Easter, to provide the greatest verdict for whoever is to end up on the losing side of the courtroom. Also, he is being used to persuade his fellow jurors into collaborating with him in doing so, as well as to successfully accomplish his mission of starting a series of tobacco litigation trials across the U.S., with numerous verdicts and compensations in punitive damages. Having already completed 2 years of Law School, Nicholas knows how things operate in and out of the courtroom, as he notices undercover agents spying on not just him, but the jurors around him. He also understands how severe the tobacco litigation trial is and hopes to deliver the greatest verdict that will cause much devastation to the tobacco companies, as he and Marlee work together in an effort to upset the defense.

Marlee, which is this woman’s alias, has known Easter ever since they met in college, where they have continued to date each other to this day. Working hard together, Marlee and Nicholas aren’t working single-handedly, as they are coming together to create their own verdict, with the help of the other jurors to vote in support of their postulated verdict. On the outside, Marlee makes daily calls to the courtroom to inform the judge of what Nicholas will wear for the day, including some hints as to what he’ll demand, too. On top of contacting the judge, Marlee also contacts Rankin Fitch, a jury consultant with a bad rep for manipulating and deceiving others. Everyone is supposed to be a part of this “always honest” and “Bible Belt” state, yet they’re constantly lying to others in hopes of achieving exactly what they want, whether it’s for good or bad. She informs him of where they will meet up to make exchanges and even commands him to do certain things, or else he “will never see [her] again.” This contributes to the mysterious persona that Marlee has and how Rankin Fitch and his associates are striving to uncover the pieces and find out all that they can, in order to antagonize her with something against her. Unfortunately for Fitch, he is unable to do this until it’s too late and Marlee is gone with his money that he was demanded to fax her.

Even though Fitch loses in the end, he is able to at least find numerous files of information over all of these jurors, including Nicholas and Marlee. He also is faxed the money back to him, that is, after Marlee has fled the country and he is practically turning himself in for all of the illegal acts that he has been committing against the state and the courtroom. Altogether, Fitch’s deception has led to his own deception, as he is now going to possibly be facing jail time for all of the tort laws and sworn oaths that he has openly defied. His own ignorance has allowed him to fall under Marlee’s trap who, with the help of Nicholas on the jury, has allowed them to create a 4oo million dollar verdict for the plaintiff’s side that will ruin the defense and their fellow tobacco companies.

In the novel, “The Runaway Jury,” John Grisham highlights the story of a tobacco litigation trial that takes place in the town of Biloxi, Mississippi, as well as minute events taking place across many areas of the United States. In this small, southern town of Biloxi, one of the biggest trials is taking place, one that will become the precedent for many more to come, that is if it succeeds. Due to the jurors being meticulously picked after extensive hours of research, investigation, and spying by both sides of the court, deceitful acts and manipulation are being used to sway the jury’s verdict in favor of whichever group is wanting it. However, only one verdict can be made or a mistrial will be declared, the big reason as to why the deceitful acts of the two court’s sides are ultimately leading to their own downfall. Although these acts are being carried out in Biloxi, where it is part of the “always honest” South and the “Bible Belt,” everything that is taking place negates these virtuous titles. Deceit and manipulation are slandering their status as an honest and righteous courtroom, let alone their jury. Surprisingly, this isn’t just a part of Biloxi, but rather the entire world, where corruption and manipulation take place daily among the injustices of the world. Biloxi is just the town that Grisham has grown up in, a place that he is familiar with and can tie real world issues and trials to, as he understands that this story is fictional, yet could possibly occur. Despite “The Runaway Jury” being fictional, the way in which the trial takes place in a modern city, and how the story pertains to a tobacco litigation trial all help to contribute to the possibility of this story actually happening. Just as the characters in the story manipulate others through deceit, as this is a human’s natural tendency, it is more plausible in real life, making “The Runaway Jury” an extremely realistic story. The way in which the trial ends in a verdict, meticulously picks it’s jury, has tort laws, and calls for the sequestration of the jury creates a truly unique and realistic atmosphere that could actually occur in real life. Lastly, through the character’s actions and how the antagonists manipulate others through deceit reveals the realistic possibility of this story happening in real life.

In the novel, “The Runaway Jury,” John Grisham highlights the story pertaining to  a tobacco litigation trial in which Celeste Woods, whose husband has died from lung cancer, is suing 4 of the largest tobacco companies around the world for causing his death. Simultaneously, Nicholas Easter and Marlee, who are under these new identities after many years of cooperative work together, are collaborating to provide the most efficient and effective verdict for whichever the jury comes to a consensus on. Next to these two things, Rankin Fitch, who is the jury consultant, is working on the outside with his fellow agents to sway the final verdict by carefully picking the jury in a manner that will manipulate the final outcome.

Amusingly however, the Judge has no idea what is going on in or out of the jury room, that is until Nicholas Easter begins to inform him of certain issues regarding other jurors in an attempt to sway the verdict himself. Tort acts, committed by the defense and plaintiff sides, the jurors, and Rankin Fitch and his associates all contribute to the manipulation of the final verdict and how they persistently strive to win everything that they can, without punitive damages being brought upon them. In one instance, Nicholas Easter notices these bizarre individuals who are secretively creeping on him to find out more about every aspect of his life, with the most intriguing find being his association with Marlee on the outside. He notices cameramen behind trees and certain vehicles and is even able to identify Fitch’s minions who are working to weasel information from Nicholas, who is aware of everything that’s taking place.

Back in the jury room, all 180 of the potential jurors are slowly being eliminated from jury duty, due t0 physical and mental ailments, federal laws, and even those who complain their way out of duty. Although they’re supposed to be telling the truth, deceit is rampant throughout the court room, including the outside world as well. After countless days of dwindling numbers of jurors, the final count comes to an elite 12, whom everyone thinks is in their favor over the opposing side. Sadly, this is false, for only one verdict is proposed or else a mistrial is declared and a year later, another jury similar to the one they’re in now will be debating the same tobacco litigation trial that they’re having to participate in now. In order to sway the jury for the plaintiff, Nicholas Easter and Marlee collaborate to slowly remove specific jurors from the jury, with deceitful set-ups, lies, and even by highlighting those who have messed up themselves. On top of their efforts, Rankin Fitch and his associates are still spying on every one of the jurors and pulling each one of them to the side for persuasion. His main goal throughout the novel is to manipulate the jury into supporting the defense, for he is the head over all of these 4 companies and has relational ties to them. He uses false CIA agents who ultimately are caught by a real CIA agent, while he tries to convince one of the jurors that he is breaking federal laws by talking to two real estate agencies with large, allotted amounts of land for constructing enormous beach casinos and hotels for vacationers along the  coast. Even though this juror unveils Rankin’s deceitful plot, his actions aren’t revealed to anyone until the end of the novel. After meeting up with Marlee on numerous occasions, unwired and de-bugged, Fitch finally agrees to faxing over a very large sum of money, with which she has agreed to sway the jury in favor of the defense. However, Marlee, who is the deceitful character as well, flies off and changes the money’s location, with which she can now run freely without a trace as to where Fitch and his team could find her. This enrages Fitch, as he realizes he shouldn’t have been so naive in falling for her little trick.

Nicholas, who is still a part of the jury, cajoles everyone into creating a verdict for the plaintiff’s side by rewarding Celeste Woods with 4oo million dollars in punitive damages, which of course defies and breaks the original agreement that Marlee and Fitch made prior the the trials end. Even after Fitch was able to discover Marlee and Nicholas’s original names and information pertaining to those past identities, he still couldn’t track them down with any one of his resources. These two characters have still remained a mystery to others throughout the novel, despite their best efforts to sway the jury’s final verdict for whichever side they choose. In a secret, hidden, runaway location, Marlee and Nicholas will continue to meet up and discuss the same tactics that they will use on future trials regarding tobacco litigation. Just as this last sentence states, all of the jury has eventually “runaway,” including those who were legally dismissed in the beginning.

The title of the novel by John Grisham, “The Runaway Jury,” is significant because it is a direct representation of how the actual jury in the story acts and eventually departs from the tobacco litigation trial. Before the actual trial started, the jury was meticulously selected for the greatest verdict that they could deliver, being observed by the defense and the plaintiff lawyers’ undercover “agents.” The first way in which the jury has “runaway” is the way in which they react to the threat of being spied on and how some of them have noticed these undercover “agents.” The second way is how the jury is slowly dwindling in the number of people present, due to exemptions for the people with medical and physical disabilities, as well as those who have become somewhat mentally decrepit. Starting off with 188 potential jurors, these series of exemptions have left the final jury with 12, with some who are also eliminated from the trial through the operations of Nicholas and Marlee. Through these exemptions, including those who complained and cajoled the judge into excusing them from serving jury duty, the title is a symbol of these peoples’ actions and how they have attempted to “runaway” from the trial. However, these people who have slipped through the system hasn’t been caused solely by them, but also the “agents” who are working for the lawyers for both sides of the trial. Although these actions are illegal and highly disreputable, the only idea for these “agents” is to sway the jury in their favor, causing them to “runaway” during the trial. With cunning abilities and treachery, the trial is slowly manipulated and eventually done so through the efforts of a fellow juror, Nicholas and his accomplice on the outside, Marlee. By framing certain jurors and causing them to be dishonorably discharged, they too are allowing manipulation of the jury, which directly correlates to the jury “running away.” Altogether, manipulation, cunning deceit, and exemptions have created a “runaway jury” that has been persuaded to make a verdict for one side or the other, the key reason as to why the title, “The Runaway Jury,” is symbolic of the actual jury that is present in the story. Also, the jurors’ actions and behaviors contribute to the verdict and exactly how they are a “runaway jury,” attempting to avoid being on jury for the tobacco litigation trial.