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The analysis of "The Client" by John Grisham
snobs. They do not understand that they share the same earth, that homeless people are the part of the same society and they deserve help. Otherwise they will continue dying in the streets of the same city. People fail to treat the homeless with the dignity they deserve. And to say it in the words of Mordecai Green, “That’s justice, Michael. That’s what street law is all about. Dignity”. (pg. 84).
This John Grisham’s book is very warm and mesmerising, even pathetic, in spite of the social problems and the lawsuit. As it concerns the street people, their life, it should be full of vulgar, brusque dialogues among the homeless, swear-words. But here the only ruder words are “ass” and “hell”. At this point Grisham’s language is a rich source of such expressions: “pushy as hell” (pg.99); “as crazy as hell” (pg. 116);“there was a way in hell” (pg. 142); “to scare the living hell out of sb” (pg. 154); “mad as hell” (pg. 158). The writer succeeds in showing poor people in the best light. Vivid descriptions of the street life, precise, lively and significant dialogues make the atmosphere of the thriller not so tense, not so horrifying, help to understand the inside world of the main hero and the fairs of street people. As I noticed, all the homeless speak in very laconic, strict sentences as if they are afraid of something, as if each word is causing a tremendous pain. They say only what they are asked, nothing more:
“ ‘Who gave you the name Drano?’
‘My momma.’
‘How old were you when she gave you the name Drano?’
‘ ’Bout five.’
(…)
‘What happened to the baby?’ Mordecai asked, playing a straight guy.
‘Died.’
‘That would be your brother,’ Mordecai said.
‘Nope. Sister.’ ” (pg.68)
The writer speaks right to the reader’s heart, he wants to inspire great feelings. John Grisham describes racial and class fears and stereotypes so honestly, so realistically, so objectively. The story is narrated in the first person, everything is seen through the eyes of Michael Brock, everything is experienced by him. While reading the book, all the time you feel as if the author himself has been there, as if it is his life, his experience. John Grisham ultimately grounds his story in detailed inside knowledge of law firms and illegal machinations. And here I would like to quote John Grisham: “Before writing this book, I hadn’t worried too much about the homeless. And I certainly didn’t know anyone who worked with them. In D.C., I found my way to the Washington Legal Clinic for the homeless, where I met Patricia Fugere, the Director. She and her colleagues (…) introduced me to the world of the homeless. Many thanks to them for their time and assistance. (…) And to real Mordecai Greens, a quite tribute for your work in the trenches. Thanks.(…)”
Thus John Grisham discloses the real conflict many people face today in trying to maintain a balance between their personal values and demands of an intensely competitive workplace. He manages to sustain [next page]