AN ANALYSIS OF MITCHELL Y. MCDEERE’S DILEMMATIC DECISION MAKING IN JOHN GRISHAM’S THE FIRM

Abstract

This thesis studies on dilemmatic decision making in John Grisham’s The Firm because the main character of the novel has a dilemmatic problem, a situation requiring a choice between equally objectionable alternatives in one’s life. Grisham presents Mitchell as being trapped in a dilemma from which he has to choose to build career in Bendini firm or to snare it by cooperation with FBI agent. On the other word, he has to decide whether he leaves his firm or not. In making a decision, he is motivated by safety needs which based on his interest. Thus, it is paramount important to recognize Mitchell’s suspicion of the firm’s condition in order to understand how he later builds his choice. Besides, there will be some discussions concerning why the main character gets dilemma, what the effects and how he faces his problem which brings him into a dilemmatic situation. This thesis uses psychological approach which can be used to explain fictitious character. Besides, this thesis also uses library research and inductive method as the method of analysis. The analysis shows that the main character, Mitchell Y. Mcdeere faces two difficult choices which make him confused which one is the best for his life. In this thesis, the discovery of the previous dead partners is used as the background and the oppression of FBI Director is the only factor that leads him into dilemma. After considering the choices, Mitchell finally decides to snare the firm by cooperation with an agent in order to get protection. Further, Mitchell’s problem is more difficult to solve since the people of the firm catch him walking together with FBI and sadly his cooperation is leaked. Mitchell’s dilemma gives some effects to himself, person in the firm and FBI agent. At last, Mitchell is able to overcome his fear and any kinds of threats after he makes video deposition and lives in Primitive Island in Caribbean that he considers comfortable. From the analysis, it can be concluded that people can solve their problems and fulfill their needs which have been through, however they try hard to find the way out. In addition, it is hard for people to make up their mind to do something. People who want to decide one of the two, they should think carefully since they cannot avoid the consequence of each choice. In this case, the main character of the novel is trapped in a bad position, but he fights hard to fulfill his safety needs. As a result, he is successful on both snaring the law firm and staying alive in Primitive little Island peacefully.