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The analysis of "The Client" by John Grisham
injustice towards the poor. The firm appeases its hatred and immense pride. Michael’s courageous behaviour is very prolific, he even manages to change the life of Arthur Jacobs - the “soul” of “Drake & Sweeney”. And in my opinion this place could be called a very unexpected denouement of the book, leading to the not less unexpected ending: the man, who had a desire to mix Michael Brock with mud, that is Arthur Jacobs, and the firm which considered him to be Judas, alter to the better and decide to stand for the street people: “After a few minutes he was talking openly of requiring all four hundred of his D.C. lawyers to spend a few hours a week helping the poor. (…) He was going straight to his office with a new purpose, a man on a mission.” (pg. 356). Pain and candour can placate even the harshest enemies and rivals.
Along his way to helping the homeless, searching for corruption at “Drake & Sweeney”, Michael Brock meets an array of colourful personalities who provide a refreshing relief from these conceited men in the law firm. The most important among them is Mordecai Green, a heavy, loud, six-foot five-inch black street lawyer: “Mordecai was a warm, caring man who laboured on the streets protecting hordes of nameless clients. His view of the law required more soul than I could ever muster.” (pg. 40). The only thing he cares is the people living in the street, people who are voiceless and powerless. He has a big, big heart open to everyone. The law is all his life, it is everything he has. This man involves Michael Brock in street law, becomes his mentor and partner as they take on the arrogance and indifference of the power class by suing Michael’s former law firm. If there were more such cordial and devoted people as Mordecai Green, the life of the homeless would be much better: “I’m a human first, then a lawyer.” (pg. 62).
Michael Brock is a very conspicuous character of the book. His work is fascinating, and the same can be said about the whole novel. The human contact is inspiring when people trust you with their lives, when somebody listens to them and is eager to help. Sometimes it is enough simply to listen, it can already be a great treat for people who have nobody to talk with. To raise person’s soul, to awake his self-respect very frequently means much more then providing his body with food and clothes.
We hear many stories and read many statistics of the homeless in the novel, which are both touching and frightening. I am of the opinion, that John Grisham implies that we are all symbolised by the law firm in this social and legal thriller, and that we are all guilty of making difficult lives worse through total indifference. Grisham avoids the sermonising, but even without that he manages to prove that black street people are disdained and humiliated by rich white snobs. [next page]