Mitchell Stephens in The Sweet Hereafter
by Barry Wright
Essay: Mitchell Stephens in The Sweet Hereafter
Pages: 10
Rating: 3 stars
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The Sweet Hereafter" by Russell Banks is a fictional novel based on a real life tragedy. The story is about a
community coping with the loss of almost all of its children after the towns school bus is involved in an accident in
which most of them die. The accident occurs on a treacherous winding highway when the driver loses control of
the school bus and it plunges down an embankment into an ice covered sandpit. The novel is unique in the way
that it is written because it's story is told 4 different ways, from 4 different characters, each one filling you in just a
little more on their perspective of what really happened. One of these characters is Mitchell Stephens. He is a
lawyer from New York City with an undeniable past. He is a compelling character with an interesting story.
Originally when he is mentioned in this story he is shown to be "the ultimate top-dollar ambulance chaser" trying
to make a living off others pain. It's assumed that he is amoral and cold-hearted. Yet, as the story progresses it
gets more and more difficult to see him in this manner. He actually turns out to be a deeply compassionate
presence in this novel and in the lives of those dealing with loss in the town of Sam Dent. It turns out that he
comes to the town just as the other lawyers (having heard about the accident) looking for clients, but eventually
starts to grow fond of the sleepy town and its people. The town slowly alters his involvement in the case as he
befriends those he is representing. He even volunteers his legal advice to people, such as Risa Walker on divorce
proceedings, after the case falls through. He also helps support the Walker's hotel by keeping a room there even
when he is not in Sam Dent. His style of dress also changes fro...