52 pages • 1 hour read
John GrishamThe Judge's List
John GrishamFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Siblings
Lacy’s brother Gunther is her alter ego, symbolizing the neglected elements of Lacy’s character. Most of the time, Lacy’s approach to life is conservative. She works diligently, staying within the parameters of her job, but underneath, she has an unacknowledged and unexpressed drive for novelty, represented by Gunther. That unexpressed drive is stirred by the prospect of catching a serial killer.
When Gunther accompanies Lacy to meet Jeri at the motel, he represents Lacy’s switch from being a primarily reactive character to an active one, adopting more of Gunther’s driven qualities. As in the previous book, The Whistler, Lacy is tipped over into her active role by joining Gunther to stop a threat against another woman.
The Engagement Ring
Allie confesses to Lacy that he is saving for an engagement ring, but he is unsure if Lacy has any interest in marrying him. The ring symbolizes the potential for change. If Lacy accepts it, she let go of the life she has been holding onto and make a commitment to something completely different. She signals her readiness for change by agreeing to accept the ring and to moving on to a new adventure with Allie.
The Rope and the Knot
One of the keys to understanding the motives of a serial killer is to take note of signatures unique to the murderer. In Bannick’s case, his signature is the rope and clove hitch. His bludgeon is more than enough to put an end to his victims; the rope is overkill. Bannick made his first kill with a rope because the victim was the scoutmaster who assaulted him. Ropes and knots were one of the skills the young Bannick particularly loved in scouting. The scout leader stole that pleasure from him. For Bannick, the rope is a reclamation of that loss. Afterward, the rope became a symbol of reclaiming every loss of pride or ego. When he was “forced” to kill Verno’s boss, Dunwoody, he did not use the rope; technically, he did not have a second rope with him, but also he did not feel any compulsion to use one because Dunwoody had done nothing to enrage him.
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By John Grisham
