POOR PEOPLE STRUGGLE
IN GRISHAM ‘S “THE STREET LAWYER”
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Letters Hasanuddin University
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain
a Bachelor Degree in English Department
NASRULLAH
F21107028
FACULTY OF LETTERS HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY MAKASSAR 2013
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Assalamualaikum warhmatullahi wabarakatuh,
First of all the writer would praise to the Al-Mighty Allah SWT that already gives chance to the writer’s present in this world, because His blessing the writer can pass through all life process at this world. All of the joy and one of them is the processes education. She does not forget to send Shalawat and
Salam to Nabiullah SAW'S Muhammad, already guides us from the darkness to the brightness.
The writer never stops to grateful for the fortunately on benediction that is given from Allah
SWT. Having a great parent who loves the writer very much is the best gift of her life. The writer wants to say a big thankful for them; the writer’s father Mappatang and beloved mother Halwatiah for their
love and support that never stop for the writer”. My sister Ermawati, thanks a lot for your love and
support. “You are the best that I ever had”.
Special Thanks for my special Lecture Drs. Alwy Rachman, Dip.Tefl, who always share his
knowledge about social and cultural theory. Otherwise a great role of him is guide me for writing this
thesis, especially in analyzing some grand theory to implement in my litherature theme. Moreover, all of
writers in Social, Literature, and Cultural works that I have read and analyzed when I have been writing
this thesi. They are; Prof.Mattulada, Prof.Faruk, John Grisham, Mr. Don Flaming, Karl Marx,
Antonio Gramscy, and all of the writers that I have been reading and analyzing their works.
Unaccountable thanks of your roles for building intellectuality knowledge in all generation in the future.
In writing this thesis, the writer found many difficulties, but they all had well overcome by
consultant’s guidance and help. The writer would also express her thanks to:
1. Prof. Dr. A. Idrus Patturusi as the Rector of Hasanuddin University.
2. Prof. Drs. H. Burhanuddin Arafah, M.Hum,Ph.D as the Dean of Faculty of Letters and as
the first examiner, who was so patient in examining me of this thesis.
3. Drs. Husain Hasyim M.Hum, as the Chairman of English Department who was help the
writer in preparing all of the process in writing this thesis.
4. Dr.H.Sudarmin Harun, M.Hum and Drs.Fathu Rahman, M.Hum as the first dan second
consultant, who was so patient in guiding dan directing me in writing this thesis.
5. Drs. M. Amir P.,M.Hum as the second examiner for his great help and suggestion in the
process of examining and correcting this thesis.
6. All lecturers have already shared knowledge to the writer.
7. The writer also wishes to thank all administrative staffs of Faculty of Letters for their
cooperation and facilities given during her study.
8. The writer’s best ever friends, beloved cousins, all of my brothers in red campus; English
Department and Faculty of Letters Students. Thanks for always be there on the sadness and
happiness. I will not forget the best time we ever spent.
9. All of Kampoeng Sastra 07 squad, Big Family of Faculty of Letters Students (KMFS-
UH), All activist of PERISAI FS-UH, MAPERWA FS-UH, BEM FS-UH, FSLK-UH,
Unity of Student Advocacy of Hasanuddin University (LAW UNHAS), Simpul Anak
Negeri, Sekber Perjuangan Rakyat SULSEL, Alliance Of Indonesian People Struggle,
and the last for International People Struggle Alliance. Thank you very much for all your
knowledge and skill sharing, Keep Struggle of you all for Social Justice and Humanity in
this Worldwide.
At last, the writer apologizes for the imperfect of the thesis. The writer would very appreciate if the reader has any comment or suggestion. Finally the writer hopes this thesis could be benefit for the reader.
Makassar, 3th March 2013
Writer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FRONT PAGE ...... i
DEDICATED PAGE ...... ii
APPROVAL ...... iii
LEGITIMACY ...... iv
AGREEMENT ...... v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... viii
ABSTRAK ...... xi
ABSTRACT ...... xii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 Background ...... 1
1.2 Identification of the Problems ...... 3
1.3 Scope of The Problems ...... 4
1.4 Statement of The Problems ...... 4
1.5 Objective of The Writing ...... 4
1.6 Significant of the Study ...... 5
1.7 Sequences of The Chapter ...... 5
CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 7
2.1 Previous Study ...... 7
2.2 Theoritical Background ...... 8
2.3 Genetic Structuralism ...... 8
2.3.1 Structure of the Novel (Structuration) ...... 10
2.3.1.1 Character ...... 10
2.3.1.2 Plot ...... 11
2.3.1.3 Setting ...... 11
2.3.1.4 Theme ...... 12
2.3.2 Humanity Fact and Collective Subject ...... 12
2.3.3 World view and Dialectic method ...... 13
2.4 Extrinsic Aspect Theory ...... 15
2.4.1 Struggle of Classes ...... 15
2.4.2 Civil Society and War of Position by Antonio Gramsci ...... 17
2.4.3 Legal Aid to Human Rights and Civil-Social Organization
for Poor People Struggle ...... 19
2.5 US Historical Background 1980’s-1990’s in Ronald Reagan era ...... 23
2.5.1 Washington in 1980’s ...... 24
2.5.2 Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless ...... 28
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD ...... 34
3.1 Method of Collecting Data ...... 34
3.2 Method of Analyzing Data ...... 34
3.3 Research Procedure ...... 35
CHAPTER IV FINDING AND DISCUSSION ...... 36
4.1 Structure of the Novel as Intrinsic Analysis ...... 36
4.1.1 Charactrerization ...... 36
4.1.1.2 Mordecai Green ...... 38
4.1.1.3 De Von Hardy ...... 39
4.1.1.4 Lontae Burton ...... 40
4.1.1.5 Claire Brock ...... 41
4.1.1.6 Arthur Jacob ...... 42
4.1.1.7 Braden Chance ...... 43
4.1.1.8 Hector Palma ...... 45
4.1.1.9 Abraham Lebow ...... 46
4.1.1.10 Sophia Mendoza ...... 48
4.1.1.11 De Orio ...... 49
4.1.2 Setting ...... 50
4.1.2.1 Setting of place ...... 50
4.1.2.2 Setting of time ...... 51
4.1.3 Plot ...... 52
4.1.3.1 Exposition ...... 52
4.1.3.2 Rising Action ...... 53
4.1.3.3 Climax ...... 55
4.1.3.4 Falling Action ...... 58
4.1.3.5 Resolution ...... 59
4.1.4 Theme ...... 61
4.2 Extrinsic Analysis ...... 62
4.2.1 Struggle of Classes in The Street Lawyer novel ...... 62
4.2.2 War of Position Between Poor People and Homeless
with the Oppressors (Company & Great Law Firm)
in The Street Lawyer novel ...... 69
4.2.3 Legal Aid Clinic and Social Organization as civil society
Alliance for poor people struggle in
“The Street Lawyer” novel ...... 76
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION ...... 76
5.1 Conclusion ...... 87
5.2 Suggestion ...... 88
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 89
APPENDICES ...... 91
Appendix I Biography of John Grisham ...... 91
Appendix II Synopsis of The Street Lawyer novel ...... 95
ABSTRAK
Nasrullah .2013. Poor People Struggle in John Grisham’s “The Street Lawyer”. (Dibimbing oleh Fathu Rahman dan Sudarmin Harun ). Sastra Inggris. Fakultas Sastra.Universitas Hasanuddin. Skripsi yang berjudul Poor People Struggle in Grisham’s The Street Lawyer ini membahas perjuangan orang – orang miskin dan gelandangan di Washington dalam menuntut hak – hak hidup mereka. Penulis mengamati banyaknya kesenjangan yang terjai di dalam novel ini yang berlatarkan Pemerintahan Roanal Regan. Perjuangan rakyat miskin dan para gelandangan yang melibatkan Klinik Hukum u ntuk rakyat miskin dan Aktivis Organisasi social ini menjadikan novel ini menarik untuk dikaji. Skripsi ini menggunakan metode strukturalisme genetik yang menggabungkan pendekatan intrinsik dan pendekatan ekstrinsik. Pendekatan intrinsik dilakukan dengan membaca novel tersebut dengan mengkaji unsur-unsur intrinsik yang terdapat di dalam novel. Sedangkan pendekatan ekstrinsik dilakukan dengan membaca artikel atau buku-buku yang memiliki kaitan dengan novel tersebut.Analisis ini menggunakan analisis deskriptif. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa banyak kesenjangan sosial yang terdapat dalam sektor ekonomi dan politik, serta penindasan nilai-nilai kemanusiaan, dan kekerasan struktural yang dialami oleh rakyat miskin dan gelandangan di DC. Olehnya itu, orang – orang miskin yang digusur tempat tinggalnya dan gelandangan yang tidak mendapatkan hak – hak hidupnya sebagai warga Negara bangkitdengan bantuan para pengacara jalanan dan aktivis dari berbagai Organisasi social. Para pengacara jalanan menjadi kuasa hokum rakyat miskin dan para gelandangan dengan menuntut pemerintah dan para penggusur di pengadilan, aktivis – aktivis organisasi social mengorganisir gelandangan di tempat – tempat penampungan. Hal ini menggambarkan kondisi sosial yang sangat memprihatinkan yang terjadi di era tahun 1980-an pada pemerintahan Roanald Reagan dan dinamika social yang diwarnai perjuangan merebut hak dari orang – orang kelas bawah melalui berbagai metodenya.
Kata kunci: rakyat miskin, penggusuran, hak, pengecara jalanan, keadilan, perjuangan,
gelandangan, organisasi social, aliansi
ABSTRACT Nasrullah .2013. Poor People Struggle in John Grisham’s “The Street Lawyer”. (Supervised by Fathu Rahman and Sudarmin Harun ) . English Literature. Faculty of Letters, Hasanuddin University.
This thesis which entitled Poor People Struggle in The Street Lawyer Novel aims to describe poor people struggles happened in Washington DC. The writer analyzes that there are so many social gaps happened in the novel which represent the Reagan era’s. Struggles of poor people and homeless that supported by the street lawyer from Legal clinic for homeless and poor people together activist of some social organizations makes this novel interesting to analyze.
In this thesis, the writer uses genetic structuralism method which combines the intrinsic and extrinsic elements to apply the method. The intrinsic approach is done by reading the novel in which the writer tries to analyze the intrinsic elements found in the novel. Then the extrinsic approach is done by reading books or articles that related to the thesis itself. This analysis is a descriptive one. The result of the analysis it is indicates that there are some kinds of poor people struggle methods. There is the oppression of humanity values and the structural abuse that happen towards poor people and homeless in DC. Therefore, poor people and homeless that oppressed their rights as citizen realize toward their rights and build the struggle to claim their rights. The street lawyers and activists from some social organization support seriously the struggles of poor people and homeless through a alliance of struggle. Street lawyers become poor people and homeless lawyers with sue the evictors and government in the court, and activists of social organizations organize homeless and poor people in the shelters. This case describes tragic social condition in Reagan era at1980s and social dynamic that shown by the struggles of low classes people to claim their rights through some their methods in struggle.
Key words: poor people, eviction, right, street lawyer, justice, struggle, homeless, social organization, alliance
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Literary work in its development can be regarded as a reflection of social conditions that exists nowadays. Structure works in the literature is closely related to the structure of society, that are explained by Goldman (in Faruk 1994:14) as expressed by the author in prose, both novels and short story form. That is one view of a researcher Lucian Goldman Literature from Romania who developed his literary studies in France. In his view, the genetic structuralism born of dissatisfaction with a structuralist literary researchers autonomous analysis that focuses only on the structure of the work and ignore the socio-cultural role of the community in the creation of literary work.
This study will be described how a literary work in this novel. "The street lawyer" was analyzed using the approach of genetic structuralism. It became the principal focus of this research that can be described as intrinsic and extrinsic elements then how novel "The street lawyer" is analyzed. It can clearly see how relationship structure of the work and social structures are interconnected.
The street lawyer by John Grisham told about how a lawyer from a large firm who is a lawyer and renowned conglomerates and the rich in America to live his life to become a street lawyer that serve the interests of poor people's right to live in Washington DC. The process of the journey of life that is the street lawyer draws attention and the reason why the novel is taken for analysis. In addition, why a lawyer whose career is rising to become an increasingly wealthy
lawyer can turn into a life devoted to the interests of the poor. That is the important thing to analyze how the structure is arranged in a literary work into a story. And extrinsically will be analyzed how the process - the defense of the weak, which is commonly called the poor advocacy of various public policies issued by the government in the novel "The street lawyer is".
A very rare form of solidarity in the globalization era is increasingly divinize money today.
Poorness, discrimination, racial, passiveness of rich people toward poor people life, eviction is some theme and problems in this novel. John Grisham describing how the condition of Washington DC as District Capitol of USA, the policy of government, real estate corporation, the law firm activity, and the homeless life. There are many cases that related of them. Grisham describe us how life condition of homeless in the street, especially in the wintertime. Beside that he tells us about how the District Capitol government gives their policy to homeless. In otherwise there is real estate Corporation with a great law firm work together to do eviction toward homeless and poorness in the DC. In general of homeless are Afro-America people and they face discrimination by white people. Afro – America life in poorness while white people life in richness. Rich people don’t have an attention to the poorness.
Thousands of Poor people in Washington DC in the story of street lawyer novel live in the street. Sometimes they live in the under bridge, church, shelter or slum apartment that they rent. In that condition, they face violence, eviction, and enforcements of officers. They have lunch and dinner in the church that has a shelter of social program. They just have the problem where they can sleep in the night because Mayor of DC rules that nobody can sleep in the public place. In addition, slum area must be displacing and changed to be a great building. Therefore, poor people or homeless in the novel have a very many challenges of their life.
The main point of this novel is about eviction of a slum apartment by a real estate
corporation that collaboration with Great Law Firm. That apartment is a place of homeless where
one of them die together four of their children in the other time of this story, and the others life in
the street. The Lawyer of that great law firm has the accident namely held hostage by homeless
people who are victims of the eviction. That homeless die shoot by police and a lawyer that
called Michael Brock shock and aware that homeless is one of many poor people as a victims of
eviction, bad policy of government and careless of rich people in America, especially in
Washington DC. Shortly, Michael Brock a white man, rich man, and a Lawyer in Great Law
Firm called Drake &Sweeney in Washington change his life to be a street lawyer. Lawyer for
homeless and poor people that majority is Afro-America in Washington DC.
1.2 Identification of the Problems
To analyze this novel from social aspect, the writer tries to identify these problems in some points, like:
1. Many problems in social life in Washington DC, especially for homeless and poor people
as a reflection of the novel toward social condition in America at that time.
2. Eviction is a problem between rich people with their institution and poor people with
their institution too.
3. The policy of the Government of capitol district toward poor people and homeless are not
fair
4. The struggle of poor people together with Legal Aid Clinic and social organization claim
their rights
1.3 Scope of The Problems
According to the title of this thesis, the writer limits the problems only to analyze the struggle of poor people and homeless to claim their rights and how its relationship between historical background and writer biography with the struggle of poor people, which are reflective in “The Street Lawyer” novel.
1.4 Statement of The Problems
1. What kinds of poor people struggle in The Street Lawyer novel?
2. Why do poor people struggle in The Street Lawyer novel?
3. How do the poor people together social organization struggle in claiming their rights?
1.5 Objective of The Writing
Based on the formulation of the writing the writer would like:
1. To elaborate what kinds of poor people struggle in The Street Lawyer novel.
2. To analyze why poor people do struggle in the novel.
3. To delineate how poor people together social organization do their struggle in “The Street
Lawyer” novel.
1.6 Significant of the Study
This thesis is written to analyze the struggle of poor people in USA. Unfair, justice and the poor people struggle in social aspects of this novel are very interesting to be analyzed. The
Street Lawyer novel described the condition of poor people 1980s – 1990s. By this problem, poor people that represented by the street lawyer struggle to claim their rights to have a good life.
The writer hopes that this writing can be useful for the next studying about the poor people struggle. This thesis can also give the moral messages about the unfair and the justice for
poor people to the readers. In fact, the issues of poor people struggle and the justice are still controversy until nowadays.
1.7 Sequences of The Chapter
Chapter I covers the background of the study, identification of problems, scope of the problems, statement of problems, objectives of writing, significant of the study, and sequences of chapter.
Chapter II provides the literary review, which consists of Previous Study, Theoretical
Background; Genetic Structuralism approach; brief explanation about intrinsic aspects such as plot, kinds of character, setting, and theme; extrinsic aspect; historical background and worldview of writer in biography.
Chapter III reveals about the methodology which used by the writer in analyzing the case.
Chapter IV is the central of the analysis. It contains the analysis of intrinsic analysis of novel, analyze the poor people struggle in the novel as extrinsic analysis.
Chapter V concludes the whole research into a summary of analysis and suggestions.
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Previous Study
After the writer has read some thesis in the library of Faculty Letters about the rights struggle of poor people. The writer finds a thesis that have similar theme with this thesis.
Otherwise, there is a thesis from a student of Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya.
1. Nirdayanti R.H (2010), with his thesis about “Rasisme dalam novel “A Time To Kill”
karya John Grisham. She focuses her writing to analyze racism and struggle of Black
People in United States from 1979 until 1980. The writer uses the genetic structuralism
approach like intrinsic and extrinsic approach to analyze her thesis. Both of them have
similarity to take the theory and approach for this thesis. The writer focuses her analyzing
data toward genetic structuralism, and semiotic theory in symbol form. While my thesis
focuses to analyze other John Grisham work namely The Street Lawyer, but in the poor
people struggle theme.
2. Farida Nur Azizah, his thesis about Social Justice in John Grisham’s The Street Lawyer: a
sociological approach. Research paper. Muhammadiyah university of Surakarta. 2007.
His research paper elaborates the portraits of social justice in John Grisham’s novel, The
Street Lawyer, which are analyzed through sociological approach. The objectives of the
research are to analyze the structural elements of the novel and to analyze the novel based
on sociological perspective by identifying the relationship between the novel and the
social background of American society at the end of 20th century. The different of my
thesis are the approach that using genetic structuralism and my thesis theme about poor
people struggle to claim poor people rights.
2.2 Theoritical Background
In this chapter the writer explains the theoritical background that used in analyzing the literary work. In the mater of this statement, the writer tries to analyze this novel by using
Genetic Structural approach. This approach is used to analyze the structural and the historical aspect which build the works and how world view of writer through his biography.
2.3 Genetic Structuralism
This approach is introduced by Lucian Goldmann, a French Literature Expert. Genetic structural approach is the unity of literary structure and the external condition. Goldmann announced that there was no literary works stand as an autonomy structure. Moreover, it reflects the situation and condition of its environment. In addition, there are social conditions which influence the works.
Goldman (1959:156) explained that the basis of genetic structuralism is the hypothesis that all human behavior is an attempt to give a meaningful response to a particular situation and tends, therefore, to create a balance between the subject of action and the object on which it bears the environment. This tendency to equilibrium, however, always retains an unstable, provisional character, in so far as as any equilibrium that is more or less satisfactory between the mental structures of the subject and the external world culminates in a situation in which human behavior transforms the world and in which this transformation renders the old equilibrium inadequate and engenders the tendency to a new equilibrium that will in turn be superseded.
Thus human realities are presented as two-sided processes: restructuration of old structurization
and structuration of new totalities capable of creating equilibrium capable of satisfying the new demands of the social groups that are elaborating them.
Category of Genetic structuralism are humanity fact, structuration, collective of subject, world view, dialectic process of comprehension and explanation, that are explain by Goldman (in
Faruk 1994:12). It means that there many category build Goldman theory in Genetic structuralism. Relation between structure of work with the social background that can be analyzed through humanity fact, collective subject, and dialectic approach to identification in the work. It mediates between structural and sociology of literature approach.
According to Suwardi in Andi (2010 : 20) the research of the genetic structural approach formulated as follows :
1. The analysis should be started from the intrinsic elements, such as theme, plot, setting,
and characters.
2. Then, studies about the background of author social society, because he is a part of a
certain community society.
3. Finally, studies about background and history that influence the work literary creation
which is created by the author.
The explained of Suwardi above emphasize that genetic structuralism analyze intrinsic and extrinsic aspect of literature work. In addition, directly mediate structural and sociology of literature approach. As we know that structural only analyze the structure of the work, while sociology of literature only analyze the relationship of literature work with the social background without analyze the structure of the work.
2.3.1 Structure of the Novel (Structuration)
Structuration is analyzing a novel in intrinsic aspect. This aspect consist facts of story, theme, and literary devices. Facts of story consist of character, setting, and plot.
That explanation according to Santon (in Burhan, 1999:25). Literary devices does not
using in this analyzes because in genetic structuralism approach in my case focuses to
analyze humanity fact and world view of the novel. Therefore, only supporting unsure
that will be using to analyze this novel in intrinsic aspect, namely only theme and facts of
story that consist of character, setting, and plot.Those unsure of structures describe in
details as follows :
2.3.1.1 Character
Character is figure of man in literature. A story is created by through
existences of character. “Characters can be described by how characters speak,
the appearance of charcters, the social study of characters, the names of
characters, the company of charcters, and what characters do” (Gill, 1985 : 99-
103). He adds that it is importnat to distinguish between character and
characterization. Characters is a person in literature work, while charcterization is
the way in which the character is created (Gill in Tenrioji, 2010:21).
Character is person that presented in a drama or narration, and the process
by which the writer makes characters seems real to the reader called
characterization. The characters make up central interest of many novel and
drama, as well as biographies and autobiographies.
2.3.1.2 Plot
Plot is anything that happens in a story which reveals the cause effect. The
explanation of plot guides us to understand occurrence orders in the novel.
Besides, it helps us to see the cause effect connetion between events to another
which influence the characterization.
Plot is a selection and arrangement of incidents by the author in a novel,
short story or drama to form the actions and give the story a particular focus.
According to Perrine in Tenrioji (2010: 22) said that, “Plot is sequence of
incidents or events of which a story is composed”.
Charters (2010: 22) divides plot into four parts namely; exposition, rising
action, climax, and falling action. Exposition is the part in which the author
introduces the characters, scene, time, and situation. Rising action is the
dramatization of event that complicates the situation (complication) and gradually
intensifies the conflict. Climax is where the rising action (complication and
conflict) come to further development and to a moment of crisis. Falling action is
the problem or conflict proceeds toward resolution.
2.3.1.3 Setting
Setting is not only relate to place, time, and event, but it also relates with
tradition, characters, social behaves,and people perspective by the time when the story is written. According to Aminuddin (1993 : 67): “Setting is background of events on the literature, as place, time, and also event, and having fiscal and psychological function”.
Zainuddin explain in his work that setting is the important element that
makes the story became real, it build the story. According to Abrams, “In a
literary work, setting is one of the most important elements which build the story,
because this element will describe the general situation of a literary work”.
2.3.1.4 Theme
Theme is the main idea of the story. As Gill (1985 : 195) said that every
fiction or literary work has theme. Theme includes ideas and point of view.
Furthermore Gill (1985 : 131) said theme can be found by seeing the author, how
they present thier interest, how treat a common theme, how they shape a moral,
how they use the important speech and important event.
Another opinion says that, “theme of a story refers to some general idea
embodied in the story”. (Landy in Tenrioji, 2010: 23). It refers to the abstract
concept that is made concrete through the images, characterizations, and actions
of the text. The theme gives the novel greater deeper than it would have if it were
a simple recitation of a series of actions.
2.3.2 Humanity Fact and Collective Subject
Humanity fact is one of some category in genetic structuralism theory by
Goldman. Humanity fact means the activities of the human in the social life. Same as activity of actor in the works. This is written by Goldman (in Faruk 1994:12-13) like:
Fakta kemanusiaan adalah segala aktivitas atau perilaku manusia baik yang verbal maupun fisik, yang berusaha dipahami oleh ilmu pengetahuan. Fakta itu dapat berwujud aktivitas social tertentu, aktivitas politik tertentu, maupun kreasi kultural, seperti filsafat, seni rupa, seni music, seni patung, dan seni sastra.
Fakta – fakta kemanusiaan dikatakan mempunyai arti karena merupakan respon – respon dari subjek kolektif atau individual, pembangunan suatu percobaan untuk memodifikasi sesuatu yang ada agar cocok dari aspirasi – aspirasi itu (Goldman 1970:583). Dengan kata lain fakta-fakta itu merupakan hasil usaha manusia mencapai keseimbangan yang lebih baik dalam hubungannya dengan dunia sekitarnya.
Goldman would explain us that humanity fact in a work is a important part that build a social activity in a work. However, Goldman divides humanity fact into individual and social fact activity in his theory. Otherwise Goldman describe us that humanity fact that can be assume as activity of a actor is a representative of collective subject in a social group in the society. Then the writer can be assumed is a member of a group in society that express his world view through composition of humanity fact in his work.
2.3.3 World view and Dialectic method
World view is a term that used by Goldman to accumulate ideas, aspirations of collective subject and feelings that connect the paradigm between one a social group that contrary with other social group. This topic is delivered by Goldman (in Faruk 1994:16) as follow:
Pandangan dunia merupakan istilah yang cocok bagi kompleks menyeluruh dari gagasan – gagasan, aspirasi – aspirasi, perasaan perasaan, yang menghubungkan secara bersama-sama anggota suatu kelompok social tertentu dan yang mempertentangkannya dengan kelompok social yang lain. Sebagai suatu kesadaran kolektif, pandangan dunia itu berkembang sebagai hasil dari situasi social dan ekonomik tertentu yang dihadapi oleh subjek kolektif yang memilikinya (Goldman 1977:18, 1981:112).
Karena merupakan produk interaksi antara subjek kolektif dengan situasi sekitarnya, pandangan dunia tidak lahir dengan tiba-tiba. Transformasi mentalitas yang lama secara perlahan-lahan diperlukan demi terbangunnya mentalitas yang baru dan teratasinya mentalitas yang lama itu (Goldman 1981:112)
Goldman connects the word view with the interaction of collective subject and the
social situation where the place setting happens. He assume that worldview appear
because there are reflection between paradigm toward social condition in the society.
Social condition consists of economic, politic, and cultural condition in the society where
the dialectic processes happen.
To know the knowledge of a literature work, Goldman increase a method called
“dialectic” method. Base principal of this method is begin and be end in literary work,
then consider to structural coherent(Faruk, 1994:19).With dialectical method, it brings
Goldman relate with humanity facts. In addition, those humanity facts will be abstract
things if not concretely totality to integrate. Then dialectic method increase to be two
concept, namely “part-totality” and “understanding-explanation”.
2.4 Extrinsic Aspect Theory
To analyze extrinsic of The Street Lawyer novel, the writer would use three theories.
Those are Struggle of Classes, Civil Society and War of position of Antonio Gramsci, and Legal
Aid to Human Rights and Civil - Social Organization for poor people struggle.
2.4.1 Struggle of Classes
Karl Marx in Communist Manifesto assumes:
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. Freeman and slaves, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild master and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed, stood in a constant position to one another, carried on an uninterrupted, now hidden, now open fight, a fight that each time ended, either in an revolutionary reconstruction of society at large, or in the common ruin of the struggling class.(Marx,1963:58)
Marx assumes above is a description how the social conflict happen in society.
Marx telling about social history of the human. He claims as a constant struggle of oppressor and oppressed. In other work Benjamin Selwyn in his analysis through Karl
Marx, Class Struggle and Labor- Centered Development explain that:
As we shall see, Marx thought that socialist development on a world-scale was already possible in his time. This implies strongly that, for him, the development of the productive forces were already sufficient for socialist transformation, and that the key issue was not their further development under capitalism (as dogmatic forms of Marxism argued) but how a future, noncapitalist society would make use of capitalism’s legacy of productive dynamism. Nevertheless, he also recognized that not all struggles by labouring classes were against capitalism and for socialism. This did not, however, reduce their importance to him. Rather, he analysed them in their specific context and in relation to the evolving world system, attempting to discern their developmental consequences for contemporary labouring classes. (Selwyn,2013:56)
Both Theories above, we can be analyzed why poor people in “The Street
Lawyer” novel do struggle for their rights claim. Poor people that called proletariat by
Marx that have not capital and factor of production according to both theories above must be do effort to save their life. Proletariat sold out their labor to work in bourgeois capital.
Proletariat does that process to get money for their life need. Their effort is class struggle as a poor people called proletariat against rich people bourgeois. Moreover, that is oppressed happen in society in the world, especially in Washington DC. In addition, it is describing in The Street Lawyer novel.
Marx in communist manifesto assume us to know that the struggle in social life between upper and lower classes always happen, while Selwyn emphasize us that not all the struggle against capitalism are for socialism. Therefore, assumes Marx about class struggle for poor people towards capitalist can be used. As we know that Marx is a philosopher of socialism-communism, his theory often using to analyze social condition
with socialism approach. But Selwyn in his argument brings us to know that not at all the
struggle of poor people against capitalism for socialism. He emphasizes that after he
show some of struggles is not basically socialism. For example in Australia and England.
Selwyn said that in his work in Karl Marx, Class Struggle and Labour-Centred
Development:
This section highlights four examples of Marx’s thoughts about the diversity of classstructures and struggles across the globe and their human developmental impacts. It highlights how he conceptualised these examples as embodying struggles against capitalism but not for socialism (in the Australian colonies), for improvements to workers’ conditions under capitalism (Industrial England), within and against capitalism (the Commune in France), and outside and potentially beyond capitalism (in rural Russia).(Selwyn, 2013,56).
Basically, some struggle to claim the social life rights, get the freedom life and create the welfare. Embodying struggle by colonies in Australia, improvements to worker in England, and the social movement in America by Afro-America, and the homeless struggle to claim their rights in USA are some struggle against capitalism system to embodying a good life for people in the world. Besides that, there are environment movement, feminist movement, and local custom movement that against capitalism system in the world.
2.4.2 Civil Society and War of Position by Antonio Gramsci
Antonio Gramsci is a social intellectual that have many contribution in social movement thoughts. Gramsci’s thoughts are in politic, culture, and social movement theories. His works that very famous are “the pre-prison notebook” and the selection of
Prison notebook. Both books above are the collection thoughts of Gramsci that become a reference to analyze how a group or organization doing movement to their struggle to
claim their rights. Poor people claim their rights to government or to save their life in capitalist press.
Civil society is a term of Gramsci to distinguish society from politic society.
There is relationship between social organization with state and party in social struggle.
As he explain in Selection of Prison notebook as follow:
The State is the instrument for conforming civil society to the economic structure, but it is necessary for the State to ‘be willing’ to do this; i.e. for the representatives of the change that has taken place in the economic structure to be in control of the State. To expect that civil society will conform to the new structure as a result of propaganda and persuasion, or that the old homo economics will disappear without being buried with all the honors it deserves, is a new form of economic rhetoric, a new form of empty and inconclusive economic moralism.” Here civil society is in effect equated with “the mode of economic behavior”. (Gramsci, 1999:448)
In otherwise about characteristic of social organization in civil society that he
called by private association of social group, Gramsci (1999:536) assumes:
I have remarked elsewhere that in any given society nobody is disorganized and without party, provided that one takes organization and party in a broad and not a formal sense. In this multiplicity of private associations (which are of two kinds: natural, and contractual or voluntary) one or more predominates relatively or absolutely— constituting the hegemonic apparatus of one social group over the rest of the population (or civil society): the basis for the State in the narrow sense of the governmental-coercive apparatus.
In social movement especially in civil society organization movement, need a strategy to build effective struggle. Gramsci said that frontal attack and long struggle, or in other term, war of position and war of movement. Both of two strategies above is depend on politic-culture situation and condition in civil society. According to Gramsci’s explanation in Selections from Prison Notebook s about political struggle as follow:
In political struggle, there also exist other forms of warfare—apart from the war of movement and siege warfare or the war of position. True, i.e. modern,
commandos belong to the war of position, in its1914-18 form. The war of movement and siege warfare of the preceding periods also bad their commandos, in a certain sense. The light and heavy cavalry, crack rifle corps, etc.—and indeed mobile forces in general—partly functioned as commandos. Similarly the art of organizing patrols contained the germ of modern commandos. This germ was contained in siege warfare more than in the war of movement: more extensive use of patrols, and particularly (Gramsci, 1999:484-485)
In other line Gramsci said “A social group can, and indeed must, already exercise
‘leadership’ [i.e. be hegemonic] before winning governmental power (this indeed is one of the principal conditions for the winning of such power)”. (Gramscy, 1999:446). He emphasizes the importance of leadership before winning the governmental power. Of course, it’s also very important when the poor people build their power in social organization to doing their struggle. War of movement done if position of the civil society is strong, and in contrary, the war of position becomes done if the position of civil society is weak. In other word, war of position done if the social-civil group/organization dominated by state or capitalist system.
In otherwise, according to Gramsci (in Simon, 2004:140), the presence of the intellectual organic is very important to organize a movement or struggle, especially in manage when the war of position strategy applied and when the war of movement done.
It is the role of intellectual organic in a struggle, as organizer of people power and manages the strategy of struggle.
2.4.3 Legal Aid to Human Rights and Civil-Social Organization for Poor People
Struggle
In some way or method to against capitalism or oppressor, Legal Aid for poor
people and the homeless is one of them. Otherwise, civil-social Organization in one of
type or model how the civil society and poor people struggle against oppressor to claim
their rights through organization, although there are many internal contradiction in social organization in making pressure group toward a policy. In selection of Selections from
Prison Notebooks: State and Civil Society Gramsci (1999:536) explain that:
It always happens that individuals belong to more than one private association, and often to associations which are objectively in contradiction to one another. A totalitarian policy is aimed precisely: 1. at ensuring that the members of a particular party find in that party all the satisfactions that they formerly found in a multiplicity of organizations, i.e. at breaking all the threads that bind these members to extraneous cultural organisms; 2. at destroying all other organizations or at incorporating them into a system of which the party is the sole regulator. This occurs: 1. when the given party is the bearer of a new culture—then one has a progressive phase; 2. when the given party wishes to prevent another force, bearer of a new culture, from becoming itself “totalitarian then one has an objectively regressive and reactionary phase, even if that reaction (as invariably happens) does not avow itself, and seeks itself to appear as the bearer of a new culture.
Advocacy that using Legal standing method in the court called as litigation way of advocacy. This is one method that using by poor people helped by Legal Aid Clinic for poor people. Lawyers in this place work sincerely without payment. They work as principle of social justice and universal human rights values. In A Human Right to Legal
Aid, Paul Dalton & Hatla Thelle (2010:7) argues that:
In the classical legal aid scenario, the timely intervention of a legal aid lawyer for an accused person in criminal proceedings will in many cases be instrumental in securing fair trial guarantees for his or her client. Furthermore, legal aid programs addressing the needs of vulnerable groups: e.g. juveniles in conflict with the law or women in abusive relationships, will by their nature serve to improve the access of these groups to legal mechanism, and may also be instrumental in protecting and securing fundamental rights and freedoms. From a human rights perspective, the provision of legal services for the poor can be seen as an affirmation of and a means by which to strengthen the rights of the poor to recognition by and equality before the law. In many cases, however, the connection between provision of various legal services- on a spectrum running from the dissemination of legal information to representation in legal proceedings - and realization of human rights is not always so clear.
The equality in protecting and securing fundamental rights and freedoms are the
main focus of Dalton and Thelle above. There is no discrimination of human in the Legal
process. The values of universal of Human rights become a basic thought the lawyer to
give their service to poor people. Though there is a universal value as basic thought of the
Legal Aid institution or Legal Aid Clinic that usual called, it still have many problems
that facing to achieve the equality and justice for poor people. In Moving Forward on
Legal Aid about Civil law problems, Melina Buckley,LL.B., Ph.D (2012:2) explained
that:
Several jurisdictions have undertaken studies to find out more about low-income citizens who have legal problems related to civil law matters. The studies all come to remarkably similar conclusions. A majority of low-income people experience one or more serious legal problems that make their day-to-day lives more difficult. These legal problems usually exist in context with related social problems: economic vulnerability, mental health, physical health, safety and security issues, discrimination, and language barriers. As a result, unresolved legal issues can have a cascading negative effect in people’s lives, causing significant economic, social, and health consequences, particularly additional stress. Physical and mental illnesses have been directly attributed to unresolved legal problems among low-income people.
In otherwise, existence of lawyers for poor people as voluntary is too important to make long struggle in legal aid for poor people and homeless to claim their rights. In
Moving Forward on Legal Aid Melina Buckley, LL.B., Ph.D (2012 : 68) explain as follows:
The recruitment and retention of legal aid lawyers is a key issue facing legal aid organizations in most jurisdictions. While the focus is often on the need to renew the public-private partnership to ensure the availability of lawyers for the judicare component of service delivery, staff lawyers also have serious concerns that must be addressed. Young legal aid lawyers in the U.K. have argued that: The failure to engage with the concerns of the future work force and to ignore their evidenced difficulties in attaining the requisite qualifications necessary to maintain the legal aid system will be disastrous for the future of legal aid.
Though it is challenge in movement of Legal Aid institution, it’s problem still have a solution in every conference about Legal Aid movement.
In State and Society in Global Perspective, David S. Meyer and Daisy Verduzco
Reyes (2010:222) write about Social Movements and Contentious Politics. They assume civil-social organization toward its role social movement as follow:
Although protest may appear spontaneous, it rarely is. Instead, activists employ a variety of organizational forms to invoke and coordinate the mobilization of supporters, to make appeals to elite public sympathizers, and to promote social change. Organizations, rather than isolated individuals, promote most social movement action, and also comprise the sites in which activists devise strategies for mobilization and influence. Much research puts formal organizations at the center of analysis, even while recognizing that organizations themselves depend upon the external environment. The availability and flow of resources affect how organizations develop, which subsequently affects how people can mobilize and what impact they might have.
In addition, Piven and Cloward in Meyer and Reyes (2010:222) assumes:
In an historical study of social protest by poor people and state responses, argue that by coordinating dissent membership organizations effectively stifle dissent and minimize its impact. They caution activists to be wary of creating organizations, developing memberships, and seeking institutional channels for grievance making, and laud “cadre” organizations which focus on stoking mobilization. They further contend that organizations focused on making political gains and ensuring their own survival develop professionalized leadership to cultivate stable relationships with funders and authorities, and that the pursuit of these relationships ultimately undermines the only potentially effective resources poor people have – social disruption. They see political institutionalization as the endpoint for potentially effective political mobilization.
Creating organization by activist, Solidarity, developing membership, mobilization for politic pressure is some activities by social organization to do struggle in many cases to build organization and increase the social movement. Main aim in activist through their social organization that done social movement is to claim poor people rights, realize social justice and apply humanity-human rights value.
2.5 US Historical Background 1980s-1990s in Ronald Reagan era
In ushistory.com as website that explore United State of America’s history in a part about
Reagan express that Ronald Reagan was known for his successful economic policies dubbed
‘Reaganomics‘ which promoted economic growth through reduced tax rates and slashed government spending. He even became the first President to survive an assassination attempt after John Hinckley, Jr. shot him. Ronald Reagan was a fierce anti-Communist and ordered an invasion of Grenada to defeat a bloody military coup.
Explained also that Ronald Reagan won reelection in another landslide in 1984 and dubbed his renewed era as ‘Morning in America‘. He took stances which precipitated the ending of the Cold War and made a famous speech at the Berlin Wall directed at USSR President
Gorbachev telling him to ‘Tear down this wall’. He ordered a massive military buildup in the arms race with the USSR and called the country the ‘evil empire’.
War is a main topic of Reagan record in 1986. The famous Iran-Contra scandal was revealed in which the US had traded arms with Iran in return for seven American hostages, and funneled arms-sale proceeds to anti-Communist militants in Nicaragua. It was never clear how much Ronald Reagan knew when, and all of the convicted officials were pardoned by the next
President.
Explanation of Reagan era’s in economic policy assumed in part of Reagan era at
Wikipedia description as a unfair policy toward homeless and poor people. The demise of
Keynesianism which followed meant far more than the obsolescence of an economic doctrine that had been used to justify a broad range of economic policies. It represented a significant retreat from a vision of society - the Keynesian welfare state - that had motivated state strategies to harmonise interests through social policy, to politically regulate the market economy and
thereby reduce class and diverse social conflicts, and to promulgate for the state a tutelary role in securing business and trade union acquiescence (and less commonly approval) for a limited set of important economic policies.
Reagan claimed more secure the corporations ambition than homeless and poor people need. He securing business and trade union acquiescence and contrary cut the tax that will be used to helps poor people and homeless social services.
2.5.1 Washington in 1980s
Many source about description of Washington DC that explore us social condition
of Washington DC in 1980s. Those source are completed also with the real data about the
homeless and social dynamic that happen in this era. Some of them is historylink.org and
explanation about affordable housing in Wikipedia that explains us how tragic of
Washington DC in that era. The explanation of that source detailed below.
The History of the United States (1980–1991) illustrates that this was a time when
there was economic distress, high unemployment, and was the period when chronic
homelessness became a modern problem. In 1980 federal funds accounted for 22% of big
city budgets, but by 1989 the same such aid composed only 6% of urban revenue (part of
a larger 60% decrease in federal spending to support local governments). It is largely
(although not exclusively) in these urban areas that homelessness became widespread and
reached unprecedented numbers.
Most notable were cuts to federal low-income housing programs. An advocacy
group claims that Congress halved the budget for public housing and Section 8 (the
government's housing voucher subsidization program) and that between the years of 1980
and 1989 HUD's budget authority was reduced from $74 billion to $19 billion. Such
alleged changes is claimed to have resulted in an inadequate supply of affordable housing
to meet the growing demand of low-income populations. In 1970 there were 300,000
more low-cost rental units (6.5 million) than low-income renter households (6.2 million).
By 1985 the advocacy group claimed that the number of low-cost units had fallen to 5.6
million, and the number of low-income renter households had grown to 8.9 million, a disparity of 3.3 million units.
The 1980s also saw a continuing trend of deinstitutionalizing mental-health hospitals. It is believed that a large percentage of these released patients ended up in the homeless system. Many existing shelters and soup kitchens had to expand their facilities to accommodate the larger number of homeless. For example, in 1980, the Pine Street Inn had to move to larger facilities on Harrison Avenue in Boston and in 1984, Saint Francis
House had to move its operation from the St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street to an entire ten floor building on Boylston Street.
The January 2, 1984 issue of Newsweek magazine had a front cover of the
Reynolds family in Galveston, Texas, with the cover title, "Homeless in America", thereby bringing the homelessness issue to continued national attention. In response to the ensuing homelessness crisis of the 1980s, concerned citizens across the country demanded that the federal government provide assistance. After many years of advocacy and numerous revisions, President Reagan signed into law the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act in 1987—this remains the only piece of federal legislation that allocates funding to the direct service of homeless people.
By the mid-1980s, there was also a dramatic increase in family homelessness.
Tied into this were an increasing number of impoverished and runaway children,
teenagers, and young adults, which created a new sub-homeless population.
The racial makeup of Washington state in 1980 was 3,779,170 (91.56 percent)
white residents and only 352,986 (8.54 percent) minorities, Black: 105,574 (2.55 percent
of total population). Although the state remained overwhelmingly white, minorities saw a
substantial increase in numbers since the 1970 census, when whites accounted for 95.4
percent of the population and minorities only 4.6 percent. This trend was to continue: by
the time of the 2000 census, only 81.8 percent of the state's total population was white,
and 18.2 percent belonged to minority groups. Also of historical interest, the 1980
census was the first to use the descriptor "Black," replacing the word "Negro."
In 1980, males older than 16 numbered 1,544,322 and of this number 1,183,512
(76.64 percent) were considered to be in the labor force, although not necessarily
employed. Females older than 16 numbered 1,595,821, and of this number 807,371
(50.59 percent) were considered to be in the labor force, although not necessarily
employed. Of the 1,794,354 men and women workers actually employed in Washington state in 1980, 95 Percent were employed.
"Median income" is the midpoint of all incomes. Half of all actual incomes will
be above the "median income" figure and half will be below. The 1980 census showed a
shocking disparity between the median income for fully employed males and that for
fully employed females.
Poverty levels for purposes of the 1980 census were based on 1979 figures, the last complete year for which income amounts were available. The poverty level for a
family of four was determined to be $7,412 in 1979, and the poverty level for individuals
was $3,686: Families below poverty level: 78,194 (7.2 percent of Washington's families),
Individuals below poverty level: 549,947 (13.7 percent of total population).
(http://www.historylink.org)
2.5.2 Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless (also known as "WLCH" or "The
Legal Clinic") is a D.C.-based nonprofit organization providing pro-bono legal services to those in the District affected by lack of housing and other housing issues. In 2009, the organization was voted "one of the best small charities in the Washington, DC region" by the Catalogue for Philanthropy.The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless has been instrumental in issues like preserving city funding for homeless services, housing, public benefits, domestic violence, individual rights and health.
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless is located in the True Reformer
Building at 1200 U Street NW in the heart of Washington, DC's U Street Corridor. At the core of the Legal Clinic's work is the Legal Assistance Project, which provides pro bono representation of individual low and no-income clients through a network of over 200 volunteer attorneys and legal assistants. Volunteers obtain clients on a referral basis or at one of seven intake sites run by the Legal Clinic at meal programs, health clinics and day programs throughout the District.
Additional programs of the Legal Clinic include Affordable Housing Initiative, which works to prevent homelessness by representing tenants with low and no-income who live in buildings threatened by gentrification, foreclosure, loss of subsidy, poor conditions or illegal sale or conversion to condominiums. Then David M. Booth
Disability Rights Initiative, which assures the accessibility of local shelters and housing
programs to people with physical and/or mental health disabilities. In otherwise,
Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative, which works to move the District's local shelter
system from one rooted in large emergency shelters to one that instead provides housing
and wrap-around services to both individuals and families. Otherwise, Veterans Initiative,
which helps homeless veterans overcome the multiple barriers in their efforts to secure
permanent housing.
The Clinic hosts and participates in several major fundraisers each year including
Lawyers Pitch In, the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walk-a-Thon, and Home Court.
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless began its efforts to fight homelessness in
1985 as an undertaking of the D.C. Bar, and was originally titled "Ad Hoc Committee for the Homeless." In 1986 the organization became the Washington Legal Clinic for the
Homeless.
Pearson v. Kelly (C.A. No. 92-14030 S.C. Super. Ct.) – Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless worked with the Neighborhood Legal Services Program and the law firm of Covington & Burling to bring this action on behalf of applicants for public housing in the District of Columbia. Judge Steffen Graae ultimately appointed David
Gilmore as Receiver of the DC Housing Authority to bring the agency into compliance with federal housing laws and regulations. Significant improvements in agency operations resulted. Those data above are gathered from Wikipedia that explain about
Washington Legal Clinic For Homeless. That source that accessed to explore about
WLCH profile.
The timeline of The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless that accessed from legalclinic.org as a website of WLCH would be exposed below. It’s begun In
November 1984, when DC voters overwhelmingly support Initiative 17, establishing a
"right to shelter" in the District, the first statutory right to shelter in the nation. Then summer 1985, DC attorney David Crosland convenes the Ad Hoc Committee for the
Homeless under the auspices of the DC Bar and in December 1985, First recruitment session for volunteer lawyers, held at the DC Bar. After that, in 1986 Pro Bono lawyers begin to serve four pilot intake sites, supported by volunteers Gloria Flanagan and Faye
Williams.
In the while of some efforts in summer 1986 when DC Bar Foundation makes first grant to support the pilot project of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Homeless. The
DC Bar, through both Bar leadership (Judge Paul L. Friedman was then-President of the
DC Bar) as well as its Office of Public Service Activities (now the DC Bar Pro Bono
Program), lends its full support to the project. Then Fall 1986 the project hires first staff person, Susie Sinclair-Smith, as coordinator. And it’s continue when May 1987, the pilot project becomes the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, an independently incorporated non-profit organization. Mental Health Law Project (now the Bazelon
Center) served as fiscal sponsor until tax-exempt status was granted.
There was many accident in the end of 1980’s. In 1989 Judge Harriet Taylor finds
DC shelters to be "horrendous" and "virtual hell-holes" in Atchison vs. Barry, brought by
Howrey & Simon. Then, in 1990 Shea & Gardner "adopts" the Legal Clinic from Pettit &
Martin and provides office space to the growing program. June 1990 then Mayor Marion
Barry signs law repealing the District's Right to Shelter. In other side, Anti-homelessness
activist Mitch Snyder dies in July 1990, while October 1990 Judge Richard Levie finds the District's family shelter system out of compliance with DC law in Fountain vs. Barry, brought by O'Melveny & Myers.
As a commitment to keep struggle in poor people challenge, December 1990
Franklin vs. Barry is filed by Crowell & Moring, challenging the District's failure to process emergency food stamps in compliance with the law. Then in 1992, WLCH joins with Hogan & Hartson in filing Little vs. Barry, challenging the District's scaling back of the General Public Assistance Program, which provided cash support to individuals with disabilities. And in other case, next year in 1993WLCH vs. Kelly is filed by Howrey &
Simon, challenging illegalities in the District's family shelter intake system and seeking to protect counsel's right of access to their clients.
In 1993, there were some programs and focuses work of WLCH. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announces the "DC Initiative," a partnership with the District government and local non-profit organizations to pilot the development of a
"Continuum of Care" shelter system. Other progress did when November 1993 where
WLCH issues "Cold, Harsh and Unending Resistance: The District of Columbia
Government's Hidden War Against its Poor and its Homeless," which chronicles the utter breakdown of government services and programs for low incomes DC residents.
Ironic accident happened in November 1993 . Yetta Adams dies homeless in a bus shelter in front of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. And in the next year, Judge Steffan Graae orders the DC public housing program placed into receivership (Pearson), at he District appeals. Otherwise, in Summer 1994, The Legal
Clinic co-convenes advocates and service providers who unite to challenge unfair budget
cuts in the wake of the District financial crisis. This effort becomes the Fair Budget
Coalition. This effort as the responds of society toward unfair policy of the government.
Campaign and serves to poor people and homeless keep continue consistently. In
1994, WLCH helps to establish Campaign for New Community, a multi-faceted advocacy effort to break down the barriers created by neighborhood opposition to the siting of programs for people who are poor, homeless or disabled. Then, in 1995 Legal
Clinic expands to include an outreach component and intensifies efforts to provide assistance during hypothermic conditions. And in the same year, Fair Budget Coalition and other community groups seek to have "Declaration of Emergency" in the District because of the shredded social safety net and palpable suffering of DC's low income residents.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD
In this chapter, the writer would like to explain about the method that is used in analyzing
The Street Lawyer novel. This method includes method of collecting data, method of analyzing data, and research procedure.
3.1 Method of Collecting Data
The writer collects the data and information through library research, such as information
from books and internet. After that, the writer classifies all the data and information into two
kinds. First is primary data, which are the novel, and history records around the topic. Second is
secondary data, which are the articles in the internet about the novel.
To support the analysis the writer reads some books that related with the topic, some dictionary to find the meaning of the difficult words either in the novel or in the resources and thesis that may help the writer to carry out the analysis.
3.2 Method of Analyzing Data
The analysis is done by applying genetic structural approach; this approach is used to analyze the structure of novel, such as the charcters, themes, plot, and setting. Then, the analysis continues by finding the relationship the social condition of USA especially Washington DC
with The Street Lawyer novel. This approach had been describe in chapter two.
3.3 Research Procedure
To write this thesis, the writer uses several procedures. The procedures would be explained as follow :
First of all, the writer read the novel The Street Lawyer. Then, identify several problems; most of the problem which the writer found the writer were related to the condtion of poor people rights struggle in Washington1980-1990s era. That was the reason why the writer choses
“Rights struggle of Poor People” as the tittle.After finding several problems, the writer scoped it into specific problems which were relate to the tittle. The writer found two main problems they were explaine in chapter two.In doing the analysis, the writer used the basic theory or approach.
The writer used genetic structural approach that approriate to the analysis. The writer would like to describe the relation between historical of social background and the novel itself.Then, the writer gathers some information and data that may reveal to the tittle. Most of the data were find by using library research, and collecting the data through finding to the topic chosen.The next step that the writer was analyzing the data by using the chosen approach. The writer starts by studying the structural element, such as theme, plot, setting,and character. And then explain the external element which was relate to the social condition of Washington in 1980-1990s.Finally, the writer concluded the result of the research.
CHAPTER IV
FINDING AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Structure of the Novel as Intrinsic Analysis
Intrinsic analysis of this The Street Lawyer novel would be analyzes by Character, setting, plot and the theme of this John Grisham work. Those analyze would be described below.
4.1.1 Charactrerization
Characterization is a part to analyze how characters every actor in a novel.
Characters every actors in The Street lawyer novel would be analysis in this part. The
writer would analyze every character in this novel that influences all elements that build
the story of this novel. That analysis would be exposed below.
4.1.1.1 Michael Brock
Michael Brockis main characters in The Street Lawyer novel. He is a
phenomenal character. He is a wealthy lawyer at Drake & Sweeney that become a
hostage of De von hardy, a homeless that hostage eight lawyers in Drake &
Sweeney Law Firm. He has a radical attitude with leaving a great Law Firm then
chooses a legal clinic for homeless and poor people. Michael leave his big income
and then chooses serve poor people and homeless struggles to claim their rights.
As a lawyer, he has a hard character;
"I'm Michael Brock. Who the hell are you?" "Lieutenant Gasko," he said with a sneer. "Let me see some identification." I turned to Claire, who was leaning on the refrigerator holding a cup of coffee. "Get me a piece of paper," I said. ----"ID, asshole."
"Who are you?" he asked, taking a step back, looking at Gasko. "Michael Brock. Who are you?" He flipped out a badge. "Darrell Clark," I announced loudly as I scribbled it down. "Defendant number two." "You can't sue me," he said. (Grisham,1998:240)
When Polices in DC looks for him, he strongly snap them and threaten them to sue because their rummage method toward his apartment. Michael does not like when a police disturb his rest, in addition when police looking a important file who he take before in illegal way.
Michael does not care his close friend advice. His plan is very strong to leave Drake & Sweeney then join with The 14th Street Legal Clinic that serve for homeless and poor people;
…….."I'm leaving, Rudolph," I said as boldly as I could, but my stomach was in knots. He shoved books out of the way, and put the cap on his expensive pen. "I'm listening." "I'm leaving the firm. I have an offer to work for a public interest firm." "Don't be stupid, Michael." "I'm not being stupid. I've made up my mind. And I want out of here with as little trouble as possible." ………. "Where are you going?" "A legal clinic near Logan Circle. It specializes in homeless law." "Homeless law?" "Yep." (Grisham, 1998:148)
Michael has intransigent when determine his way of life in his future. He forgets his great income and thinks about humanity as a first law student idealism.
Humanity and Social justice is his new values when leave his old life that colored by money and wealthy but without happiness.
4.1.1.2 Mordecai Green
Mordecai Green is Director of the 14th Street Legal Clinic for homeless.
He takes a hard line to bad bureaucracy and to lawyers that become his rival in the judge. But toward the homeless and his close friend, he is a warm man, depth feeling in humanity. He struggle hardly to serve to poor people and homeless;
It was Mordecai Green. "Mr. Brock," he said politely, his voice clearly audible but competing with a din in the background. "Yes. Please call me Michael." "Very well. Look, I made some calls, and you have nothing to worry about. The blood test was negative." "Thank you." "Don't mention it." "Just thought you'd want to know as soon as possible." "Thanks," I said again, as the racket rose behind him. "Where are you?" "At a homeless shelter. A big snow brings 'em in faster than we can feed them, so it takes all of us to keep up. Gotta run."(Grisham,1998:41)
Mordecai Green is an Afro-America man. His dedication toward homeless that majority black is very important towards their struggle to claim their rights and defend poor people from District policy that always remove homeless from
DC. He cares to homeless who live in the street. He has a great ambition to care them until mayor of DC admit all homeless rights to live in DC without eviction threats.
Mordecai Green was a warm, caring man who labored on the streets protecting hordes of nameless clients. His view of the law required more soul than I could ever muster. On my way out, I ignored Sofia because she certainly ignored me. My Lexus was still parked at the curb, already covered with an inch of snow.(Grisham,1998:36)
In front of Judge, Mordecai hard hitting when sue the RiverOaks and
Drake & Sweeney towards their illegal eviction to poor people in an apartment
(Grisham, 1998:452). He does not give opportunity to his opponent lawyers in
holding a brief for the evictors. Mordecai has different attitude when face his
close friend and his opponent in bureaucracy and in the court. Those all he done
to serve homeless struggle in rights struggle.
4.1.1.3 De Von Hardy
De von Hardy is a homeless man who takes hostages at Drake & Sweeney.
He takes hostages towards lawyers who he claims as evictors. De von Hardy is a
veteran of Vietnam War. He became a homeless because government policy that
cut fun for veteran war. Moreover, River Oaks & Drake & Sweeney sent him to
the street through illegal eviction. He is a brave man;
His name was DeVon Hardy, age forty-five, a Vietnam vet with a short criminal record. A mug shot from an arrest for burglary was put on the screen behind the early morning newsperson. It looked nothing like Mister-no beard, no glasses, much younger. He was described as homeless with a history of drug use. No motive was known. No family had come forward. There were No comments from our side, and the story fizzled. The weather was next. Heavy snow was expected to hit by late afternoon. It was the twelfth day of February, and already a record had been set for snowfall. (Grisham, 1998:25)
De von Hardy evicted in his apartment that he rent to someone. He is a drugs consumer since him to be a homeless. In his action when hostage lawyers in
Drake & Sweeney, he did not injure though one man in that time. He just asking why rich people never car to homeless. He also compare how rich people life style in America very different with poor people and homeless. And in the end De von Hardy asking who are evictors between eight lawyer that become his hostage until a police SWAT shoot his head (Grisham, 1998:14-31).
4.1.1.4 Lontae Burton
Lontae Burtonis a homeless woman with four children. They all die of
asphyxiation when snow blocks the exhaust pipe of their car. They were victims
of the eviction. She cares her children alone without her husband. Of course,
Lontae is a strong woman that can serve her four children alone.
The mother was twenty-two. Her name was Lontae Burton. The baby was Temeko. The toddlers, Alonzo and Dante, were twins, age two. The bigbrother was Ontario, age four. ……… He approached from the rear and yelled, "Hey, pal!" I stopped long enough to pull a five-dollar bill from my pocket and throw it at his feet, hardly looking at him. On P, near the apartment, I leaned on a brick retaining wall in front of someone's splendid row house. (Grisham,1998:75) Lontae death in her car when her car snapped snow. He together her
children getting a high cold that night, while her car warmer is not functionally.
There is a ceremonial when Lontae and her children will be buried. And to avoid
others homeless to be like Lontae, poor people together many Social Organization
and some shelters members celebrate Lontae’s rally (Grisham, 1998:301).
4.1.1.5 Claire Brock
Claire Brock is Michael Brock’s wife. She is diligent woman. She is a
doctor. Claire is a good wife until Mike always leave her because his busy as a
lawyer. Claire decides to go to med school when he feels unhappy when Michael
often become busy in his firm duty than together Claire as his wife.
By the end of our first year together, Claire was very. unhappy and we had started to quarrel. She decided to go to med school. Tired of sitting at home watching TV, she figured she could become as self-absorbed as I was. I thought it was a wonderful idea. It took away most of my guilt. After four years with the firm, they started dropping hints about our chances of making partner. The hints were collected and compared among
many of the associates. It was generally felt that I was on the fast track to a partnership. But I had to work even harder. Claire became determined to spend more time away from the apartment than I did, and so both of us slid into the silliness of extreme work holism. We stopped fighting and simply drifted apart. (Grisham,1998:22)
Although Claire very busy in hospital as a doctor, he keep give her attention to Michael when Mike takes a traffic accident and be a patient in the hospital. Claire care him, asking nurse always check condition her husband and ask to nurses to call him if Mike need everything;
They took me to the emergency room at George Washington University Medical Center. X-rays revealed no breaks of any type. I was bruised and in terrible pain. They filled me with painkillers and rolled me up to a private room. I awoke sometime in the night. Claire was sleeping in a chair next to my bed. (Grisham,179:3)
Condition in Claire’s family makes Claire become bore to stay at home.
Therefore, he decides to look for a bustle to balancing Michael activities that very
seldom at home.
4.1.1.6 Arthur Jacob
Arthur Jacob is a senior partner in Drake & Sweeney. He is an important
senior lawyer in that firm. To be a soul of Drake & Sweeney make character of
Arthur discipline towards all of lawyer in his firm. He is workaholics, like
professional man in big city in the worldwide. About the hostage in Drake &
Sweeney, Arthur does not care seriously. In contrary, he want to do a meeting to
think hoe if family of De von Hardy sue because accident that makes Hardy die.
Arthur Jacobs was the senior partner, the CEO, the driving force, a man we admired and respected greatly. If the firm had a heart and soul, it was Arthur. In seven years, I had spoken to him three times. ……..
Arthur wanted to meet with the ex-hostages at ten, in the conference room, to record our statements on video. "Why?" I asked. "The boys in litigation think it's a good idea," he said, his voice razor-sharp in spite of his eighty years. "His family will probably sue the cops." "Of course," I said. (Grisham,1998:30)
In the end part of the Street Lawyer novel, Arthur realize that he was became crazy of money. He never care to homeless, he is suffering after Lontae’s case winning by Mordecai in the court. He will give his contribution to help poor people and homeless;
Arthur was suffering, and before long I felt sorry for him. He was eighty, had been contemplating retirement for a couple of years, but wasn't sure what to do now. He was tired of chasing money. "I don't have a lot of years left," he admitted. I suspected Arthur would attend my funeral. He was fascinated by our legal clinic, and I told him the story of how I'd stumbled into it. How long had it been there? he asked. How many people worked there? What was the source of funding? How did we operate it? (Grisham,1998;472)
Arthur to be a wise man in the end of his conflicts with Michael. He was tired of chasing money. He interest to build pro bono programs to help poor people and homeless. He admits that he don’t have many time again according to his ages. He is eighty now. Therefore, he becomes wise to face his more short age. He will serve poor people and homeless.
4.1.1.7 Braden Chance
Braden Chance is a lawyers in the Drake & Sweeney that have done illegal eviction in De von Hardy and Lontae’srent apartment. He is a partner in real estate division;
It was privately held, thus little financial information was available. The attorney was N. Braden Chance, a name unknown to me. I looked him up in our vast database. Chance was a partner in our real estate division, somewhere down on the fourth floor. Age forty-four, married, law school at Duke, undergrad at Gettysburg, an impressive but thoroughly predictable resumé. (Grisham, 1998:61)
Braden Chance ignores Hector Palma’s report about condition of that apartment. Hector Palma reports that in fact, there is no squatter in that place. On the contrary, there are tenants that rent that place. Hector Palma reported this fact in a memo to Braden Chance. Fatally, Braden Chance ignores that memo and keep evict that apartment;
Drake & Sweeney, exercising diligence, had sent Hector Palma to inspect the property prior to closing. Hector was mugged on the first visit, took a guard with him on the second, and upon inspecting the premises learned that the residents were, in fact, not squatters, but tenants. He reported this in a memo to Braden Chance, who made the ill-fated decision to disregard it and proceed with the closing. The tenants were summarily evicted as squatters, without due process. A formal eviction would have taken at least thirty more days, time none of the participants wanted to waste. (Grisham, 1998,296)
Those facts above are the real fact that Braden chance done an illegal eviction according to procedure that rules how actually the eviction must be done.
This is reflection how Braden Chance character. He is a unfair lawyer who allows an illegal eviction.
4.1.1.8 Hector Palma
Hector Palma is a paralegal in Drake & Sweeney. He is paralegal in illegal eviction case. Hector Palma helps Michael Brock gain evidence for Hardy’s eviction case. He is an honest man. Though in firstly, Hector not clearly admit to
Michael that he never put a memo in Michael’s desk, he finally admit and
honestly says to Michael that he very save his family and he will not losing her job as a paralegal.
"What's in the file?" I asked. "Bad stuff." "Tell me." "I have a wife and four kids. I'm not about to get fired." "You have my word." "You're leaving. What do you care?" ------"I need that file," I said. "I don't have it." "Then how can I get it?" "You'll have to steal it." "Fine. Where do I get a key?" He studied my face for a moment, trying to decide how serious I was. "I don't have a key," he said. "How'd you get the list of evictees?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "Yes you do. You put it on my desk." (Grisham, 1998:158)
Hector Palma to be dilemmatic to evict Hardy and Lontae’s apartment rent. He knows that that eviction is illegal. Therefore when he know that Michael is a hostage of De von hardy’s action and Michael investigate that case, he silently put the real memo about that eviction in Michael work table.
Though he tried to mask his emotions, Hector didn't have the stomach for evictions. My heart stopped when I read the following: "The mother had four children, one an infant. She lived in a two-room apartment with no plumbing. (Grisham,1998:201)
When Hector Palma was rotated working in Chicago because that case,
Michael keep look for him to take one more an important memo. Finally, Michael finds him in his office. Hector gives that’s important memo, but he asks Michael save his secret because he very worry his wife and four his children. Hector also is a responsibility parent towards his family.
From the fountain we went west on Grand Avenue to a crowded Jewish deli. As we waited in line to order a sandwich, Hector handed me an envelope. "I have four children," he said. "Please protect me." I took the envelope, and was about to say something when he stepped backward and got lost in the crowd. I saw him squeeze through the door and go past the deli, the flaps of his overcoat around his ears, almost running to get away from me. (Grisham, 1998:358)
According to Hector Palma story about, the writer assumes that beside he is a honest man, he also be responsible parent, too.
4.1.1.9 Abraham Lebow
Abraham Lebow is street lawyer that associate of Mordecai Green and
Sofia Mendoza. His specialist is legal action advocacy. Abraham Lebow sues all regulations that unfair towards poor people and homeless in DC. He coordinates litigation with other pro bono to sue those unfair regulation that produce by government.
"What's Abraham's story?" I asked. "Jewish kid from Brooklyn. Came to Washington to work on Senator Moynihan's staff. Spent a few years on the Hill, landed on the street. Extremely bright. He spends most of his time coordinating litigationwith pro bono lawyers from big firms. Right now he's suing the Census Bureau to be certain the homelessget counted. And he's suing the D.C. school system to make sure homeless kids get an education. His people skills leave a lot to be desired, but he's great in the back room plotting litigation." (Grisham, 1998:140)
Abraham actually is a friendly man. He comes to Michael and talk about his experiences as the Street Lawyer. He is a philosophic when talk about lawyer to Michael. Though Abraham is a middle-class kid, he dedicates her profession as a lawyer for poor people and homeless struggles.
"I wanted to welcome you," he said, then immediately launched into a passionate justification for public interest law. He was a middle-class kid from Brooklyn, law school at Columbia, three horrible years with a Wall Street firm, four years in Atlanta with an antideath-penalty group, two frustrating years on CapitolHill, then an ad in a lawyer's magazine for an advocate's position with the 14th Street Legal Clinic had caught his attention. "The law is a higher calling," he said. "It's more than making money. …………. "What, specifically, do you do?" I asked. I was enjoying our talk. He was fiery and bright, with a vast vocabulary that kept me reeling. "Two things. Policy. I work with other advocates to shape legislation. And I direct litigation, usually class actions. We've sued the Commerce Department because the homeless were grossly underrepresented in the ninety census. We've sued the District school system for refusing to admit homeless children.(Grisham, 1998:238)
Law for Abraham is a higher calling, and more than money. It’s his philosophy that makes him dedicates his life for people struggles. He comes from
Brooklyn after he finished his law school in Columbia. He sincere to advocacy all regulation that unfair to homeless with other advocates to shape legislation and usually class action.
4.1.1.10 Sophia Mendoza
Sofia Mendoza is a social worker; associate of Mordecai Green and
Abraham Lebow. She is a paralegal in the 14th Washington Legal Clinic. She is a firm woman. Sofia not a talk active woman, she is a hard worker and discipline woman in helping poor people;
Sofia's a social worker, but she knows more street law than me and Abraham combined." I followed him around the cluttered desks. "Used to have seven lawyers crammed in here, can you believe it? That was when we got federal money for legal services.112
Mordecai describes Sophia as a rampageus woman to Michael. He said
that Sophia would talk soundly if he snaps government servant in DC, especially
in abusing government worker.
"And Sofia?" "A career social worker who's been taking night classes in law school for eleven years. She acts and thinks like a lawyer, especially when she's abusing government workers. You'll hear her say, 'This is Sofia Mendoza, Attorney-at-Law,' ten times a day." "She's also the secretary?" "Nope. We don't have secretaries. You do your own typing, filing, coffee making." (Grisham,1998:141)
Sophia is not a lawyer, but with her attitude to the government workers,
many people think that she is a lawyer. Her skill and her experience about street much than her friend in the 14th Street Legal Clinic, especially in facing
government worker.
4.1.1.11 De Orio
De Orio is a Judge in Washington court. He is a judge in Lontae’s case
lawsuit that facing between the 14th Street Legal Clinic and Drake & Sweeney. He is a tough judge but actually, he is a good man. He is moderately liberal and he is a judge that does not like to finish a lawsuit cases in court session that present a jury;
"Back and forth with Arthur, back and forth with Judge DeOrio. Do you know DeOrio?" "No." "He's a tough guy, but he's good, fair, moderately liberal, started with a big firm many years ago and for some reason decided he wanted to be a judge. Passed up the big bucks. He moves more cases than any trial judge in the city because he keeps the lawyers under his thumb. Very heavy- handed. Wants everything settled, and if a case can't be settled, then he wants the trial as soon as possible. He's obsessive about a clean docket." "I think I've heard his name." "I would hope so. You've practiced law in this city for seven years."
"Antitrust law. In a big firm. Way up there." "Anyway, here's the upshot. We've agreed to meet at one tomorrow in DeOrio's courtroom. (Grisham,1998:287)
De Orio’s characters who tough in mediate a cases lawsuit is correct
attitude. It is a right attitude to when facing lawyers from two sides. In Lontae’s
case lawsuit, he is very will thought of Arthur from Drake & Sweeney and
Mordecai from the 14th Street Legal Clinic as Lonta”s family lawyers (Grisham,
1998:446-447).
4.1.2 Setting
4.1.2.1 Setting of place
Setting of place in The Street Lawyer novel is in New York City and
Washington DC. Those cities are in United State of America;
"What are you, a Democrat now? You've been in Washington too long." "There are lots of Republicans in Washington. In fact, they've taken over." We rode to the next tee in silence. He was a good golfer, but his shots were getting worse. I'd broken his concentration. (Grisham,1998:77)
Dialogue above between Michael with his father in their home town.
Michael’s father emphasizes that Michael live in Washington and does his lawyer
practice in Washington. Other dialogues describes that Washington as setting of
place of this novel is when Michel takes traffic accident and to be a patient in a
Hospital of Washington;
They took me to the emergency room at George Washington University Medical Center. X-rays revealed no breaks of any type. I was bruised and in terrible pain. They filled me with painkillers and rolled me up to a private room. I awoke sometime in the night. Claire was sleeping in a chair next to my bed.(Grisham,179:3)
Otherwise, other dialogue describes setting of place of this novel. They talk about social conditionin Washington and New York and how governments in those city subjected poor people and homeless in their policy;
NewYork, richest city in the world, can't house its people, so they sleep on the streets and panhandle on FifthAvenue, and this upsets the sensitive New Yorkers, so they elect Rudy What’sHisFace who promises toclean up the streets, ……, and at the same time they spend a bloody fortune paying New York lawyers to defend them for trying to eliminate poor people." "How bad is Washington?" "Not as bad as New York, but not much better, I'm afraid. ……… "Washington is a black city," he continued, "with a large welfare class. It attracts a lot of people whowant change, a lot of activists and radicals. People like you." (Grisham, 1998:225)
4.1.2.2 Setting of time
Setting of time this novel is in Ronald Reagan’s era. That period between
1980s to 1990s.
Various efforts were made to displace them, all to no avail. In 1984, Snyder endured a fifty-one-day hunger strike to call attention to the neglect of the homeless. With his reelection a month away, President Reagan boldly announced his plans to turn the building into a model shelter for the homeless. Snyder ended his strike. Everyone was happy. After the election, Reagan reneged on his promise, and all sorts ofnasty litigation ensued. In 1989, the city built a shelter in Southeast, far away from downtown, and began planning the removal of the homeless from the CCNV. But the city found the homeless to be an ornery lot. They had no desire to leave.(Grisham, 1998:253)
Talking about CCNV history is a reference to know when setting of place the story of the Street Lawyer novel. 1990s era is the time where CCNV operated in DC;
Mitch Snyder committed suicide in 1990, and the city named a street after him.It was almost eight-thirty when we arrived, time for the residents to leave. Many had jobs, most wanted to leave for the day.(Grisham, 1998:159)
4.1.3 Plot
4.1.3.1 Exposition
The beginning of the story is when De von hardy hostage lawyers in drake
& Sweeney. This is his way to makes his protest toward illegal eviction that sent
him to the streets.
He didn't like this. "Thirty bucks," he repeated. "For two people." He shook his head, then looked at the eight litigators. If he polled them, I hoped they planned to lie. ……… "I had soup. Soup and crackers at a shelter. Free soup, and I was glad to get it. You could feed a hundred of my friends for thirty bucks, you know that?" I nodded gravely, as if I suddenly realized the weight of my sin. "Collect all the wallets, money, watches, jewelry," he said, waving the gun again. "May I ask why?" I asked. "No." I placed my wallet, watch, and cash on the table, and began rummaging through the pockets of my fellow hostages. (Grisham, 1998:14)
In this hostage, Michael compares how rich people life style with poor
people and the homeless condition. He also asking about how much his hostage
that consists of eight lawyers contribute to the shelter and other social programs
for poor people. And the end before he die through a shot from a police SWAT,
he asks his hostage about who is the evictors his apartment (Grisham, 1998:30).
4.1.3.2 Rising Action
Rising action of the history is signed by Michael Brock leaves Drake &
Sweeney and join with The 14th Street Legal Clinic. He realizes that eviction of
De von Hardy’s apartment that sent him together others poor people is illegal eviction. He meet Mordecai before and tells about De von Hardy and homeless condition after that eviction happen;
I handed him my gold-embossed Drake & Sweeney card, which he studied with a deep frown. Then he gave it back to me, and said, "Slum. um~.m~ing, aren't you?" "No," I said, taking the card. "What do you want?" "I come in peace. Mr. Hardy's bullet almost got me." "You were in the room with him?" "Yep." ...... We looked at each other, then looked away. It was my visit, I had to say something. But he spoke first.(Grisham, 1998:52)
Michael decides to leave Drake & Sweeney then join with The 14th Street
Legal Clinic associates Mordecai, Sophia and Abraham. He tells this decision to his close friend;
…….."I'm leaving, Rudolph," I said as boldly as I could, but my stomach was in knots. He shoved books out of the way, and put the cap on his expensive pen. "I'm listening." "I'm leaving the firm. I have an offer to work for a public interest firm." "Don't be stupid, Michael." "I'm not being stupid. I've made up my mind. And I want out of here with as little trouble as possible." ………. "Where are you going?" "A legal clinic near Logan Circle. It specializes in homeless law." "Homeless law?" "Yep." (Grisham, 1998:148)
Rudolph is trying to advice Michael to keep work in Drake & Sweeney
together him. He asks Michael to refresh their think through holiday in weekend.
But Michael refuse it and keep decide to leave Drake & Sweeney;
This is a terrible time to leave, Mike. You know how far behind we are." "Won't work, Rudolph. It's no fun if there's a safety net." "Fun? You're doing this for fun?" "Absolutely. Think how much fun it would be to work without looking at a time clock." "What about Claire?" he asked, revealing the depths of his desperation. He hardly knew her, and he was the least qualified person in the firm to dispense marital advice. "She's okay," I said. "I'd like to leave Friday." He grunted in defeat. He closed his eyes, slowly shook his head. "I don't believe this." "I'm sorry, Rudolph." (Grisham, 1998:150)
Finally, Michael Brock joins with Mordecai Green in The 14th Street
Legal Clinic. He visits a shelter firstly, emphasize physically that he is a street lawyer, and leave a much money and property in his Drake & Sweeney career.
"Is this your first trip to a shelter?" "Yep." "What's the first word that comes to mind?" "Hopeless." "That's predictable. But you'll get over it." "How many people live here?" "None. This is just an emergency shelter. The kitchen is open every day for lunch and dinner, but it's not technically a shelter.(Grisham, 1998;87)
In this Legal Clinic, Michael to be the hope to increase some programs.
He is a fresh blood in developing the 14th Legal Clinic to help poor people and
homeless. Michael emphasizes her position to be opponent his old firm that to be
the enemy of poor people and homeless who become victims of illegal eviction by
RiverOaks cooperate Drake & Sweeney.
"So I'm the future of the 14th Street Legal Clinic?" "That's what we decided. We'll take you in as a full partner. Let's see Drake & Sweeney top that."
"I'm touched," I said. I was also a bit frightened. The job offer was not unexpected, but its arrival opened a door I was hesitant to walk through. (Grisham, 1998:140)
4.1.3.3 Climax
Lontae’s rally and The14th Street Legal Clinic sue RiverOaks and Drake &
Sweeney is the climax of the story in this novel. Process in this moment is the most important facts of the story. Lontae’s rally is the sign of the unity of some homeless from many shelter that event a solidarity toward Lontae’s case;
The CCNV had promised a thousand of its foot soldiers, and they arrived in a group--one long, impressive, disorganized column of men homeless and proud of it. I heard them coming before I saw them, their well- rehearsed marching yells clear from blocks away. When they rounded the corner, the TV cameras scrambled to greet them. They gathered intact before the steps of the District Building and began waving their placards, most of which were of the homemade, hand-painted variety. STOP THE KILLINGS; SAVE THE SHELTERS; I HAVE THE RIGHT TO A HOME; JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. The signs were hoisted above their heads, where they danced with the rhythm of the hymns and the cadence of each noisy chant. Church buses stopped at the barricades and unloaded hundreds of people, many of whom did not appear to be living on the streets. They were nicely dressed church folk, almost all women. The crowd swelled, the space around me shrunk. I did not know a single person, other than Mordecai. Sofia and Abraham were somewhere in the crowd, but I didn't see them. It was billed as the largest homeless march in the past ten years--Lontae's Rally. (Grisham, 1998:301)
The homeless campaign their protest toward government policy that allows poor people and homeless sent to the streets because an unfair policy and illegal evictions of some corporations. After that, Mordecai prepare he analysis about Lontae’s case to claim Lontae’s family rights toward Lontae’s case. He will sues Riveroaks and Drake & Sweeney as illegal evictors;
For obvious reasons, the lawsuit would be far messier and more dangerous with Gantry as a party. We could sue without him, and leave it
to his co-defendants--RiverOaks and Drake & Sweeney--to haul him in as a third party. But Gantry was a contributing cause in our theory of liability, and to ignore him as a defendant would be to ask for trouble as the case progressed. Hector Palma had to be found. and once we found him, we somehow had to convince him to either produce the hidden memo, or to tell us what was in it. …….. In doing so, we could bypass her family, at least initially. In the event were covered damages, the family would be a nightmare. It was safe to assume that the four children had two or more different fathers, and each one of those tomcats would have to be notified if money changed hands. "We'll worry about that later," Mordecai said. "We have to win first."(Grisham, 1998:296)
One strategy in between 14th Street Legal Clinic and Drake & Sweeney is the mass media’s role. He campaign the weakness his opposite and published in mass media. War in newspaper cannot avoid between two powers these;
And the bar complaint--let it run its course. I'll file one against Braden Chance and maybe some of the other lawyers involved in this mess, and we'll have us an old ashioned spitting contest." He pointed at Arthur and said, "You run to the newspaper, we run to the newspaper." The 14th Street Legal Clinic couldn't care less what was printed about it. If Gantry cared, he wouldn't show it. RiverOaks could continue to make money in spite of bad press. But Drake & Sweeney had only its reputation to market. Mordecai's tirade came from nowhere, and they were completely astonished by it. (Grisham, 1998:464)
Furthermore, Mordecai sue Drake & Sweeney, RiverOaks and TAG Inc. to the Court. De Orio as a Judge mediate them to finishing Lontae’s family’s sue through Mordecai Green as their lawyers against Drake & Sweeney and
RiverOaks. Mordecai threats them to brings this case in front of Jury if they will not pay indemnity according to Mordecai’s sue. Mordecai very confident will win this case if he brings it to the Jury.
"Seven hundred million dollars, last year alone." Then he pointed at RiverOaks. "And this defendant owns real estate worth three hundred and fifty million dollars. Give me a jury." When it appeared that he was silent, DeOrio again asked, "Are you finished?" "No sir," he said, and in an instant became remarkably calm. "We'll take two million up front, a million for our fees, a million for the heirs. …...... A structured settlement with an extended payout made sense. Because of the instability of the heirs, and the fact that most of them were still unknown, the money would be carefully guarded by the court. Mordecai's latest onslaught was nothing short of brilliant. There was a noticeable relaxing in the Drake & Sweeney group. He had given them a way out. (Grisham, 1998:465)
De Orio decides receive Mordecai’s request in his sue and refuse Arthur
defenses. After Lontae’s case, the next case is Michael’s case that stole a file in
Drake & Sweeney before he leave that great law firm. Finally, Michael receive
scours nine month to not do his lawyers practice.
I stood, and very politely said, "Your Honor, let's split the difference. We offered Six months; they want twelve. I'll agree to nine." I looked at Barry Nuzzo when I said this, and he actually smiled at me. If Arthur had opened his mouth at that point, he would've been mugged. Everyone relaxed, including DeOrio. "Then we have a deal," he said, not waiting for a confirmation from the defendants. His wonderfully efficient law clerk pecked away at a word processor in front of the bench, and within minutes she produced a one-page Settlement Memorandum. We quickly signed it, and left. (Grisham, 1998:467).
4.1.3.4 Falling Action
After Mordecai wins his sue in front of judge, and make clear all about problems with Drake & Sweeney, he plans to implement some developing programs to increase a serve quality of The 14th Street Legal Clinic.
There were two other projects of particular interest to Mordecai. The first was a pro bono program theclinic had once organized, then allowed to slip away as federal monies evaporated. At its peak, the program had a hundred lawyers volunteering a few hours a week to help the homeless. He
asked me to consider reviving it. I liked the idea; we could reach more people, make more contacts within the established bar, and broaden our base for raising funds. ……….." As we sat in the front after Sofia left, watching it grow dark outside, Mordecai began dreaming. He longed for the days when there were seven lawyers bumping into each other at the clinic. Every day was chaos, but the little street firmwas a force. It helped thousands of homeless people. Politicians and bureaucrats listened to the clinic. It was a loud voice that was usually heard. (Grisham, 1998:468)
Mordecai asks to Michael to handles pro bono programs. He is dreaming when a hundred lawyers volunteering to serve the poor people and homeless. It can helps thousands of poor people and homeless. He imagine there are chaos every day, where bureaucracy and politician would response poor people and homeless claims. It would make poor people and homeless struggle stronger.
4.1.3.5 Resolution
The end, resolution of the story when Arthur realizes that he never gives
his attention to the poor people and to homeless. He is suffering and feel sadly.
He wants to implement pro bono program sooner. He asks to Michael Brock to
handle it.
Arthur was suffering, and before long I felt sorry for him. He was eighty, had been contemplating retirement for a couple of years, but wasn't sure what to do now. He was tired of chasing money. "I don't have a lot of years left," he admitted. I suspected Arthur would attend my funeral. He was fascinated by our legal clinic, and I told him the story of how I'd stumbled into it. How long had it been there? he asked. How many people worked there? What was the source of funding? How did we operate it? …... The volunteers would work only a few hours a week, under my supervision, and we could reach thousands of homeless people. Arthur was aware of such programs; vaguely aware. He hadn't performed free work in twenty years, headmitted sadly. …"Can you handle four hundred lawyers?" he asked. "Of course," I said, without any idea as to how to even begin such a task. But my mind was racing. (Grisham,1998:472)
After Michael declare that he will help Arthur to implements Arthur’s pro
bono programs for homeless, Michael asks to Arthur in order to Hector Palma
become coordinator of this pro bono program. And Arthur agree about it.
"I'll need some help, though," I said. "What kind of help?" he asked. "What if Drake & Sweeney had a full-time pro bono coordinator within the firm? This person would work closely with me on all aspects of homeless law. Frankly, with four hundred volunteers, we'll needsomeone on your end." He pondered this. Everything was new, and everything was sounding good. I plowed ahead. "And I know just the right person," I said. "He doesn't have to be a lawyer. A good paralegal can do it.(Grisham, 1998,472)
As the result of this effort and consciousness of Arthur as a senior partner in Drake & Sweeney to implement pro bono programs for every lawyer, many volunteers can help poor people and homeless in the future. Sounds of poor people and homeless would be louder when claim their rights. About four hundred Drake & Sweeney lawyers will protect the rights of poor people and homeless.
The program took shape before our eyes. Every Drake & Sweeney lawyer would be required to handle one case each week. The younger associates would do the intake, under my supervision, and once the cases arrived at the firm they would be assigned by Hector to the other lawyers. Some cases would take fifteen minutes, I explained to Arthur, others would take several hours a month. No problem, he said. I almost felt sorry for the politicians and bureaucrats and office workers at the thought of four hundred Drake & Sweeney lawyers suddenly seized with a fervor to protect the rights of street people. ……. I walked him to his car, then ran to tell Mordecai. (Grisham, 1998:475)
Those are good news for Mordecai, The 14th Street legal Clinic, poor people and homeless to face the next struggle in claiming their rights. This fresh
power would press strongly politician, bureaucrats, and office worker to serves
poor people and homeless when they claim their rights as citizen.
4.1.4 Theme
The Street Lawyer novel has story about struggle of the street Lawyer in defends
the poor people and homeless rights. Otherwise, the role of some Social Organization to
provide shelters and organize poor people and homeless to do the systemic struggles. The
theme of this novel is “the struggle of poor people to claim rights”. That’s theme chooses
because that issue dominate the plot of story in The Street Lawyer novel.
The rights of poor people and homeless as the victims of an illegal eviction are
the main topic of the story. Otherwise, activities of The 14th Street Legal Clinic to help
their homeless client are support issues. There are also activities of Social Organizations
in providing shelter for the homeless who do not have a house or apartment. Those
struggles are done by activists, street lawyers together poor people and homeless to
implement humanity and social justice in Human Rights universal values.
4.2 Extrinsic Analysis
Extrinsic analysis of this The Street Lawyer novel would be analysis how the poor people
struggle to claim their rights happen in this novel as humanity fact in The Street Lawyer novel.
Poor people struggle theme in The Street Lawyer novel would be analysis with Struggle of
Classes, Civil society and War of position theories, and how the role Legal Aid Clinic for homeless with social organizations together poor people and homeless struggle to claim their rights.
4.2.1 Struggle of Classes in The Street Lawyer novel
In The Street Lawyer novel, struggle of classes described through conflict between poor people or homeless with rich people. The poor people represented by homeless, while rich people represented the real estate corporation co-operation with
Great law firm that evict poor people from their apartment that poor people rent with illegal eviction. RiverOaks a real estate company through their lawyer in Drake &
Sweeney Law Firm evict many poor people that live in a apartments through a illegal eviction, where those poor people is the client of a Legal Clinic for Homeless.
The protest of poor people in this novel begins by a homeless, his names is De Von
Hardy, and he is a Veteran of Vietnam war that live in that apartment. He knows that the actor of eviction is a great Law Firm in D.C. De von hardy expresses his protest with hostage eight lawyers in Drake & Sweney.
"Up against the wall," he said, using the gun as a very effective prop. Then he placed it very near my head, and said, "Lock the doors." Which I did. Not a word from the eight litigators as they scrambled backward. Not a word from me as I quickly locked the doors, then looked at him for approval. For some reason, I kept thinking of the post office and all those horrible shootings--a disgruntled employee returns after lunch with an arsenal and wipes out fifteen of his co-workers.(Grisham,1998:6)
Quotation above is a dramatic action by a homeless to the Great Law Firm. It is his protest towards eviction that makes his live in the street. De von Hardy doesn’t shot or hurt though one lawyers that become his hostage, but he give some question and statement that express how poor people feel with become homeless because that eviction.
Dialogue between De Von hardy with lawyers hostage as follow;
"What did you eat for lunch?" Mister asked me, his voice breaking the silence. Too surprised to consider lying, I hesitated for a second, then said, "A grilled chicken Caesar." "Alone?" "No, I met a friend." He was a law school buddy from Philly. "How much did it cost, for both of you?" "Thirty bucks." He didn't like this. "Thirty bucks," he repeated. "For two people." …… "You know what I had?" he asked me. "No." "I had soup. Soup and crackers at a shelter. Free soup, and I was glad to get it. You could feed a hundred of my friends for thirty bucks, you know that?" I nodded gravely, as if I suddenly realized the weight of my sin. "Collect all the wallets, money, watches, jewelry," he said, waving the gun again. "May I ask why?" I asked. "No." I placed my wallet, watch, and cash on the table, and began rummaging through the pockets of my fellow hostages. "It's for the next of kin," Mister said, and we all exhaled. (Grisham,1998:4)
De Von Hardy compares what his lunch with the litigators that become the hostage. He exactly shows us the differences between upper class lives with the poor people. He will open eyes to the lawyers that there are great differences between suffering homeless with the glamour of the Lawyers that evict the poor people in their apartments. Otherwise, De Von hardy asking to his hostages about their social care, it has to check how the upper class people care to the poor people.
He slowly shook his head. "And how much for the poor people?" "Total contributions of one hundred eighty thousand." "I don't want total contributions. Don't put me and my people in the same class with the symphony and the synagogue, and all your pretty white folks clubs where you auction wine and autographs and give a few bucks to the Boy Scouts. I'm talking about food. Food for hungry people who live here in the same city you live in. Food for little babies. Right here. Right in this city, with all you people making millions, we got little babies starving at night, crying 'cause they're hungry. How much for food?" …………. "Not directly," I said. "But some of these charities--" "Shut up!" He waved the damned gun again.
"How about homeless shelters? Places we sleep when it's ten degrees outside. How many shelters are listed there in those papers?" Invention failed me. "None," I said softly. (Grisham,1998:24)
In detail, De von Hardy asking about lawyers care in their contribution to the shelter. He tell them how the homeless live and eat in the shelter. He emphasize that lawyers in the Drake &Sweeney evict the poor people in his apartment. Like quotation below;
"Who are the evictors?" he mumbled, to no one in particular, and he waited a couple of minutes before saying it again. We looked at each other, confused, with no clue what he was talking about. He appeared to be staring at a spot on the table, not far from Colburn's right foot. "Not only do you ignore the homeless, you help put them in the streets." (Grisham,1998:30)
Finally, De von Hardy shoot by the SWAT police. A homeless as a victim of an eviction dead after a police shoot him. The police is the apparatus of the state kill its citizen with reason as crime. This is the irony, where the poor people die because hostage evictors that have evict homeless and poor people habitation. It accident describes below;
When Umstead bent over to grab the cart, Mister's head was exposed for a split second, and the sniper blew it off. Mister lurched backward without uttering a sound, and my face was instantly covered with blood and fluids. I thought I'd been hit too, and I remember screaming in pain. Umstead was yelling somewhere in the hall. The other seven scrambled off the table like scalded dogs, all yelling and digging toward the door, half of them dragging the other half. I was on my knees, clutching my eyes, waiting for the dynamite to explode, then I bolted for the other door, away from the mayhem. I unlocked it, yanked it open, and the last time I saw Mister he was twitching on one of our expensive Oriental rugs. His hands were loose at his sides, nowhere near the red wire.(Grisham, 1998:31)
The illegal eviction towards the poor people by Drake & Sweeney as the lawyer of RiverOaks a real estate company is the reflection how rich people oppress the poor people. This the real struggle classes in the Street Lawyer novel. Great Law Firm in D.C conspire with a great real estate company to evict poor people in this novel story is the reflection of struggle of class between bourgeois class with the proletariat classes. It is turn aside the human rights valuesof the poor people. That is describes in quotation below:
"The eviction." The property was purchased last month by a company called RiverOaks, some big real estate outfit." "And RiverOaks evicted everyone?" "Yep." "Odds are, then, that RiverOaks would be represented by my firm." "Good odds, yes." "Why is it complicated?" "I've heard it secondhand that they got no notice before the eviction. The people claim they were paying rent to the pimp, and if so, then they were more than squatters. They were tenants, thus entitled to due process." .(Grisham, 1998:56)
In a data that held by Michael, we can explore that the characteristic of the private company is too vicious. RiverOaks as a real estate private company turn aside the Human
Rights in facing poor people. There are four eviction that this company do as Michael data. It’s explore as reflects below:
There were forty-two files for RiverOaks, almost all of them real estate transactions in which the company had purchased property. Chance was the attorney of record on every file. Four were eviction actions, three of which took place last year. The first phase of the search was easy. On January 31, RiverOaks purchased property on Florida Avenue. The seller was TAG, Inc. On February 4, our client evicted a number of squatters from an abandoned warehouse on the property--one of whom, I now knew, was Mister
DeVon Hardy, who took the eviction personally and somehow tracked down the lawyers. ……….. My field, antitrust, was highly regarded. Tax law was horribly complex, but its practitioners were greatly admired. Governmental relations (lobbying) was repulsive but paid so well that every D.C. firm had entire wings of lawyers greasing the skids. (Grisham,1998:61)
Clearly, the process of the eviction that sent De von hardy and others poor people to the streets describes in narration of a memo below:
Under it was a copy of something lifted from an official Drake & Sweeney file. The heading read: EVICTEES--RIVEROAKS/TAG, INC. The left-hand column contained the numbers one through seventeen. Number four was DeVon Hardy. Number fifteen read: Lontae Burton, and three or four children. I slowly laid the file on the desk, stood and walked to the door, locked it, then leaned on it. ----- Under the second sheet of paper, on the inside of the file itself, my anonymous informant had scribbled with a pencil: The eviction was legally and ethically wrong. It was printed in block letters, in an effort to avoid detection should I have it analyzed. The markings were faint, the lead hardly touching the file.(Grisham, 1998:131-132)
Without humanity, RiverOaks through Drake & Sweney as representative of bourgeois class remove apartment of poor people and sent them to streets. The detail of that illegal eviction emphasize in Hector Palma’s reports as follows:
On January 22, Hector Palma went to the warehouse, alone, for a routine, pre purchase inspection. As he was entering a designated door, he was mugged by two street punks who hit him over the head with a stick of some sort, and took his wallet and cash at knifepoint. He stayed at home on January 23, and prepared a memo to the file describing the assault. The last sentence read: "Will return on Monday, January 27, with guard, to inspect. ----- The closing took place on January 31, a Friday. The following Tuesday, Hector returned to the warehouse to remove the squatters. He was assisted by a guard from a private security firm, a District cop, and four roughnecks from an eviction company. It took three hours, according to his memo, which ran for two pages.(Grisham,1998:201)
In the name of money through that’s real estate project, the bourgeois class do not care toward poor people life that we call proletariat in Marx terms. The poor people tried to defend their rights before with hit Hector Palma as a paralegal from Drake & Sweeney.
But in the next operation of that eviction, RiverOaks together Drake & Sweeney was assisted by a guard from a private security firm, a District cop, and four roughnecks from an eviction company remove that poor people place. Therefore, the power of those poor people cannot balancing that evictors. They must living in the street to survive their life.
Poor people cannot defeat their rights in front of strong oppressor that remove their place. Theory of Marx becomes the fact in this story that express the bourgeois action who oppress the proletariat (poor people) in this The Street Lawyer novel. Since the power of bourgeois (company, Lawyer, private military) walk together to face the poor people that don’t have unity and defeater through civil-social organization alliance, poor people must lost their rights to feel a good life. In contrary oppressor sent them to the streets.
Actually, there is the Street Lawyer for Homeless to defeat the rights of poor people or Homeless, but it’s not yet to be strong to face the unity of oppressor power that always oppress the poor people and homeless, especially for eviction case. The characteristic of that Street lawyer is defeat the poor people and the homeless to claim their rights. Client of the street lawyer is the poor people and the homeless.
Characteristics of clients and their problems as a proletariat class describes in quotation below:
"Your clientele will be a mixture of thirds," he said, driving badly with one hand, holding coffee with another, oblivious to any of the other vehicles crowded around us. "About a third are employed, a third are families with children, a third are mentally disabled, a third are veterans. And about a third of those eligible for
low-income housing receive it. In the past fifteen years, two and a half million low-cost housing units have been eliminated, and the federal housing programs have been cut seventy percent. Small wonder people are living on the streets. Governments are balancing budgets on the backs of the poor." (Grisham,1998:219-220)
According to quotation above, in fact of the story that government policy is not
support the human rights of the poor people and the homeless. Those symbolize where
low cost housing units program have been eliminated, and the federal housing programs
have been cut seventy percent. In those point above, we can imagine how the sufferings
of the poor people and the homeless that represented in this novel. Not only the oppressor
destroying their rights, but also government emasculate their rights too. The poor people
and the homeless as proletariat class according to Marx oppressed by rich people through
real estate company and great law firm as bourgeois class in the social life in this The
Street Lawyer novel.
4.2.2 War of Position Between Poor People and Homeless Alliance with the
Oppressors in The Street Lawyer novel
In The Street Lawyer novel, war of position happens between poor people and
homeless together alliance of the street lawyers from 14th Street Legal Clinic for
homeless and civil-social organization against Riveroaks private company, TAGInc. and
Drake & Sweney law Firm. The main case in the story is eviction toward poor people by
RiverOaks and Drake & Sweney Law Firm. Mordecai Green is Director of the 14th Street
Legal Clinic is the Lawyer of De von Hardy and other victims of the eviction. Otherwise there is Michael Brock, a Lawyer of Drake & Sweney who choose to be a street lawyer together Mordecai to help poor people and homeless claim their rights. In other side,
RiverOaks a Real Estate private company and lawyers of Drake & Sweney as representation oppressor of poor people became the enemy of poor people in claim their rights.
War of position as the strategy of the civil society struggle to implement the social justice and humanity as the spirit of Human rights is reflects in the story of this The
Street Lawyer novel. Poor people together the alliance of some social organization and
Lawyers of Legal clinic for homeless affirm their position to claim poor people and homeless rights through various struggles. The reflections of those strategies will express in some quotations below;
According to one Mordecai Green, Director of the 14th Street Legal Clinic, DeVon Hardy had worked for many years as a janitor at the National Arboretum. He'd lost his job as a result of budget cutting. He had served a few months in jail for burglary, then landed in the streets. He'd struggled with alcohol and drugs, and was routinely picked up for shoplifting. Green's clinic had represented him several times. If there was family, his lawyer knew nothing about it. ……… The 14th Street Legal Clinic was funded by a charity and worked only with the homeless, according to Green. "Back when we got federal money, we had seven lawyers. Now we're down to two," he said.(Grisham,1998:7)
The 14th Street Legal Clinic lawyers affirm dedicates their work to poor people and homeless. De von Hardy is one their client. Therefore, they know all about De von
Hardy story.
In other side, the role of mass media is one of important strategy in supporting the struggle of poor people and homeless in this novel. Mass media expose detailed case of
De von Hardy eviction case. They publish the profile of that private companies and
Drake & Sweney Law Firm as actors of eviction toward De von hardy. News report about
Lontae Burton and his children as other victims published too in other edition of some
mass media. This publication makes the oppressor side became shy in front of public of
America and war of position strategy by the poor people alliance to be dynamic. Those
case reflect below:
In a lengthy article, he examined each of the three defendants, beginning with RiverOaks. The company was twenty years old, privately held by a group of investors, one of whom was Clayton Bender, an East Coast real estate’s winger rumored to be worth two hundred million. Bender's picture was in the story, along with a photo of the corporate headquarters in Hagerstown, Maryland. ------Of the three defendants, Gantry was the only one willing to talk. He admitted paying eleven thousand dollars for the Florida Avenue warehouse in July of the previous year, and selling it for two hundred thousand to RiverOaks on January 31. He got lucky, he said. The building was useless, but the land under it was worth a lot more than eleven thousand. That was why he bought it. ------Tomorrow, it promised, there would be another installment--a look at the sad life of Lontae Burton. How long would Arthur Jacobs allow his beloved firm to be dragged through the mud? It was such an easy target. The Post could be tenacious. The reporter was obviously working around the clock. One story would lead to another.(Grisham, 199:396)
Strong attack through mass media publication makes Drake &Sweney very
carefully facing The 14th Legal clinic as suffer of eviction victims. Of course as a great
and famous Law Firm in USA, Drake & Sweney want to save its reputation to the public.
But, some publication in mass media have make this law Firm drowning in the from the
public trust.
The great change happening to Michael Brock. Since that eviction case, he leave
Drake & Sweney and join with Mordecai Green to be a Street lawyer to suffer the homeless. He helps The 14thStreet Legal Clinic in facing Drake & Sweney in this eviction
case. In this war of position, he stands in poor people and homeless struggle position. It
describes in quotation of dialogue below:
"There's more to being a lawyer than billing hours and making money. Why do we want to become corporate whores? I'm tired of it, Barry. I want to make a difference." "You sound like a first-year law student." "Exactly. We got into this business because we thought the law was a higher calling. We could fight in justice and social ills, and do all sorts of great things because we were lawyers. We were idealistic once. Why can't we do it again?" "Mortgages." "I'm not trying to recruit. You have three kids; luckily Claire and I have none. I can afford to go a little nuts."(Grisham,1998:215).
Michael reminds to his friend about first years law students where their ambition to fight injustice and social ills. Nevertheless, that ambition become different when they to be a lawyers. Toward his close friend Michael Brock declare his position to back in humanity and social justice as a basic value of Human Rights according to his first law student idealism. Michael strongly wants to leave Drake &Sweeney as a great law firm that allowed the eviction toward De Von Hardy, Lontae Burton and others poor people.
He wants to be the street lawyer for the poor people and homeless struggles.
Michael emphasize his new profession as a street lawyer with do his first duty in a shelter, description of situation when he visit the shelter firstly reflect as follow:
"Is this your first trip to a shelter?" "Yep." "What's the first word that comes to mind?" "Hopeless." "That's predictable. But you'll get over it." "How many people live here?" "None. This is just an emergency shelter. The kitchen is open every day for lunch and dinner, but it's not technically a shelter. ----- "How many homeless?" "That's always a good question because they're not the easiest group to count. Ten thousand is a good guess." "Ten thousand?" "Yep, and that's just the people on the street. There are probably another twenty thousand living with
families and friends, a month or two away from homelessness." "So there are at least five thousand people on the streets?" I said, my disbelief obvious. "At least." (Grisham, 1998:87).
Michael shows a large different life between his before. He shows many homeless in the shelter that have not a real future. He also shows how the suffering homeless if no shelter in his city. Otherwise, he meets with many social worker in the shelter to service the homeless. A foreign view in his mind, but it’s the reality that he is facing with his choice to dedicate his life for the homeless. His adaptation for his new life also reflect when he facing his first client. His life radically changes.
"What will my first five cases be?" "Anxious, aren't you?" "Yeah, and I don't have a clue." "Relax. The work is not complicated; it takes patience. You'll see a person who's not getting benefits, probably food stamps. A divorce. Someone with a complaint against a landlord. An employment dispute. You're guaranteed a criminal case.(Grisham,1998:222).
He becomes friendlier to Mordecai, a Director of The 14th Street Legal Clinic and some workers of social organizations. In some chance he discuss about Mordecai activities, especially planning and strategy to develop the Legal Clinic programs to
Homeless. In addition, the important is how The 14th Legal Clinic keep survive for poor people and homeless struggle in Legal Aid sector. In a chance, Mordecai tell Michael about some pro bono activities in DC, it reflects as quotation below:
We figure you have good contacts within the established bar, and since you're well educated, nice-looking, bright, and all that crap, you should be a natural at raising money." "What if I don't want to raise money?" "Then the four of us could lower our salaries even more, perhaps go to twenty thousand a year. Then to fifteen. And when the trust dries up, we could hit the streets, just like our clients. Homeless lawyers."
"So I'm the future of the 14th Street Legal Clinic?" "That's what we decided. We'll take you in as a full partner. Let's see Drake & Sweeney top that." "I'm touched," I said. I was also a bit frightened. The job offer was not unexpected, but its arrival opened a door I was hesitant to walk through. (Grisham,1998:140)
The role of the street lawyers for poor people and homeless struggle to claim their rights is very important. As the intellectuals organic, street lawyer will makes stronger the power of poor people and homeless struggle. Besides they can organize the poor people and homeless struggle in movement, manage the struggle strategy, the Street
Lawyer as a lawyer can also attack the oppressor in the front of Jury in the Court. Those reflects in the novel like in quotation below:
We used to work with a lot of young lawyers from the big firms, pro bono rookies I call them, and they would tell me all the time that they lost interest in food at first. " He patted his ample midsection. "But you'll get over it." "What did the pro bono rookies do?" I asked. I knew I was moving toward the bait, and Mordecai knew I knew. "We sent them into the shelters. They met the clients, and we supervised file cases for them. Most of the work is easy, it just takes a lawyer on the phone barking at some bureaucrat who won't move. Food stamps, veterans' pensions, housing subsidies, Medicaid, aid to children--about twenty-five percent of our work deals with benefits." ------A seasoned social worker can at least get the bureaucrats to listen, and maybe look at the file and maybe return a phone call. But you get a lawyer on the phone, barking and raising hell, and things happen. Bureaucrats get motivated. Papers get processed. No address? No problem. Send the check to me, I'll get it to the client." His voice was rising, both hands waving through the air. On top of everything else, Mordecai was the consummate storyteller. I suspected he was very effective in front of a jury.(Grisham,1998:114)
The street lawyers can access the bureaucracy desk to represent their client in claim their right. This is the function of them as an intellectual organic in war of position strategy of struggle. Government could hear their voice when they claim poor people and homeless rights. They also can organize poor people community to do a parade or hard protest about social problem in the civil society policy. Of course we don’t forget how important the role of social activist and other social workers.
Some of war position role to make poor people and homeless power stronger always done by these intellectual organic. Then, to make their struggle survive and to be stronger, Michael has duty to create a pro bono program for pro bono volunteer. Pro bono volunteer is recruitment from some big firm in town. This programs hopes can increasing public care in DC towards poor people and homeless social life and more important to support poor people and homeless struggle to claim their rights.
He gave me the opening, and I slipped in. Because I couldn't practice law for the next nine months, the clinic had decided that I should implement a new pro bono volunteer program using attorneys from the big firms in town. Since his firm happened to be the largest, I was thinking of starting there. The volunteers would work only a few hours a week, under my supervision, and we could reach thousands of homeless people. (Grisham,1998:472)
War of position in The Street novel reflect in some activities by poor people and the homeless through some their strategies to claim their rights. Organizing and managing struggle of poor people done by intellectual organic where in this novel represented by the street lawyers and the social activist. Those all they dedicate to make poor people and homeless struggle have strongly attack to claim their rights and influence the government policy in order to stand up to the poor people and homeless.
4.2.3 Legal Aid Clinic and Social Organization as civil society Alliance for poor
people struggle in “The Street Lawyer” novel
Struggle of classes and war of position above represent analysis and tactic to
facing the power of oppressor by poor people as oppressed. Legal clinic and social
organization are protector and organizer by poor people power. Legal Aid Clinic for poor
people and homeless is one important unsure of poor people spirit to claim the rights.
While social organization organize of poor people and identify each problem of their
member before become a client of Legal Aid clinic.
Intellectual organic function of the activist in social organization and street
lawyers in Legal Aid Clinic for homeless are the important role in poor people struggle
when claim their rights and press a policy. Those role make civil society power strong,
minimize social crime and to be a way to implement social justice and Human Rights
values.
Ironic policy is one of some source why poor people protest each policy of
government. Protest of poor people to claims their rights together social organization
activist and street lawyers. In The Street Lawyer novel, it contradiction describes as
quotation below:
----- Advocates all over the country are attacking these laws. Damned cities are spending more on legal fees than on building shelters for the homeless. You gotta love this country. New York, richest city in the world, can't house its people, so they sleep on the streets and panhandle on Fifth Avenue, and this upsets the sensitive New Yorkers, so they elect Rudy. ------can't beg, can't sit on the sidewalk, can't be homeless--and they cut budgets like hell, close shelters and cut assistance, and at the same time they spend a bloody fortune paying New York lawyers to defend them for trying to eliminate poor people." "How bad is Washington?" "Not as bad as New York, but not much better, I'm afraid. ------
"Washington is a black city," he continued, "with a large welfare class. It attracts a lot of people who want change, a lot of activists and radicals. People like you." ‘'Tm hardly an activist or a radical." (Grisham,1998:225-227)
Federal governments in fact paying New York Lawyers to defend their policy that
injuring poor people and homeless. They are trying to eliminate homeless through their
policy in injuring homeless and poor people. The role of social organization activist is
protest those policy together poor people and homeless, while the Street Lawyers do class
action to advocacy those injuring policy through litigation method.
Mordecai Green is Director of The 14th Street Legal Clinic. While Michael Brock
is a new street lawyer that leaves Drake & Sweeney Law Firm then together Mordecai in
the 14th Legal Clinic defend poor people and homeless as their clients. Toward poor
people and homeless struggle, Michael and Mordecai in consult and help their clients as
described below:
Clients awaited us. Our office was in a comer of the dining hall, near the kitchen. Our desk was a folding table we borrowed from the cook. Mordecai unlocked a file cabinet in the corner, and we were in business. Six people sat in a row of chairs along the wall. "Who's first?" he announced, and a woman came forward with her chair. She sat across from her lawyers, both ready with pen and legal pad, one a seasoned veteran of street law, the other clueless. Her name was Waylene, age twenty-seven, two children, no husband. "Half will come from the shelter," Mordecai said to me as we took notes. "The other half come from the streets." "We take anybody?" "Anybody who's homeless." (Grisham, 1998:229-231)
Besides Legal Aid for poor people and homeless, a social organization has a great shelter in DC. That is Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV). Homeless take shelter and food in CCNV. Otherwise, The 14th Street Legal Clinic give Legal Aid to the
homeless in this shelter. Most of their clients in CCNV, and Mordecai as Director set the schedule to receive clients in this shelter. Description about CCNV likes quotations below:
Tuesday was an intake day at the Community for Creative Non-Violence, or CCNV, by far the largest shelter in the District. Once again Mordecai handled the driving. His plan was to accompany me for the first week, then turn me loose on the city. (Grisham,1998:247)
About CCNV history and its struggle describes below:
The CCNV was founded in the early seventies by a group of war protestors who had assembled in Washington to torment the government. They lived together in a house in Northwest. During their protests around the Capitol, they met homeless veterans of Vietnam, and began taking them in. They moved to larger quarters, various places around the city, and their number grew. After the war, they turned their attention to the plight of the D.C. homeless. In the early eighties, an activist named Mitch Snyder appeared on the scene, and quickly became a passionate and noisy voice for street people.------In 1984, Snyder endured a fifty-one-day hunger strike to call attention to the neglect of the homeless. With his reelection a month away, President Reagan boldly announced his plans to turn the building into a model shelter for the homeless. Snyder ended his strike. Everyone was happy. After the election, Reagan reneged on his promise, and all sorts of nasty litigation ensued. ------The city backed away from its deadlines, and managed to make peace. The CCNV grew to thirteen hundred beds. Mitch Snyder committed suicide in 1990, and the city named a street after him.(Grisham,1998:253-254)
Mordecai and Michael from the 14th Street Legal Clinic facing their client to consult as description of quotation below:
Mordecai walked to the door with the clipboard, and called out the first name: "Luther Williams." Luther barely fit through the door, and the chair popped as he fell into it across from us. He wore a green work uniform, white socks, and orange rubber shower sandals. He worked nights at a boiler room under
the Pentagon. A girlfriend had moved out and taken everything, then run up bills. He lost his apartment, and was ashamed to be in the shelter. "I just need a break," he said, and I felt sorry for him. He had a lot of bills. Credit agencies were hounding him. For the moment, he was hiding at CCNV.(Grisham,1998:256)
As a great shelter in D.C, CCNV has many activities to give their service to homeless. Those are the way that CCNV support and to be a frontline in poor people and homeless struggle to defend their live and claim their rights. Those expressed in quotation below:
"D.C. Central Kitchen, an outfit in the basement of the CCNV. They've developed this amazing system of collecting excess food from local restaurants, not leftovers, but uncooked food that will simply go bad if not used immediately. They have a fleet of refrigerated trucks, and they run all over the city collecting food which they take to the kitchen and prepare, frozen dinners. Over two thousand a day."(Grisham,1998:288)
To support and defend poor people and homeless claim their rights as citizen, many programs of Legal Aid and Social Organization created. Pro bono volunteer is one of them like described by quotation below:
Most surprisingly, a lawyer appeared, a young associate from a large firm, a pro bono volunteer with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. He recognized Mordecai from a fund-raiser the year before. We did law talk for a few minutes, then he disappeared into a back room to begin three hours of intake. "The Washington Legal Clinic has a hundred and fifty volunteers," Mordecai said. (Grisham, 1998:289)
To claim poor people and homeless rights about eviction in this novel, The 14th
Street Legal Clinic as Lawyer of the victims doing Legal Action in the Court. He press evictors to responsible toward great loss of victims. Eviction that done by River
Oaks,TAG Inc. and Drake & Sweeney will be indicted in the court by Mordecai as a
Lawyer of the victims. Its description as follows:
There were three of them--RiverOaks, Drake & Sweeney, and TAG, and we did not expect to add more. The first method was the ambush. The other was the serve and volley. With the ambush, we would prepare the skeletal framework of our allegations, run to the courthouse, file the suit, leak it to the press, and hope we could prove what we thought we knew. The advantage was surprise, and embarrassment for the defendants, and, hopefully, public opinion. The downside was the legal equivalent of jumping off a cliff with the strong, but unconfirmed, belief that there was a net down there somewhere.
------
The firm had shown no interest in leaving me alone; the two searches were clear proof that Arthur on the top floor and Rafter and his band of hard-asses in litigation were coming after me. My arrest would make a nice news story, one they would undoubtedly leak to humiliate me and build pressure. We had to be ready with our own assault.(Grisham,1998:294)
To influence public opinion and build strong solidarity towards poor people, homeless, activist, and street lawyers, they create a Lontae’s rally to campaign how the oppressor or evictors make poor people and homeless suffer. Lontae is a victim of eviction by Drake & Sweeney, TAG Inc. and RiverOaks. They have sent Lontae and others to the streets. Moreover, Federal government turns aside poor people and homeless in their policy. Description of Lontae’s rally in this The Street lawyer novel as follows:
The march began at the District Building with a rally for justice. Since Mordecai was a Who's Who in the world of the homeless, he left me in the crowd and went to his spot on the platform A church choir robed in burgundy and gold got organized on the steps and began flooding the area with lively hymns.
----The CCNV had promised a thousand of its foot soldiers, and they arrived in a group--one long, impressive, disorganized column of men homeless and proud of it.
----They gathered intact before the steps of the District Building and began waving their placards, most of which were of the homemade, hand-painted variety. STOP THE KILLINGS; SAVE THE SHELTERS; I HAVE THE RIGHT TO A HOME; JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. The signs were hoisted above their heads, where they danced with the rhythm of the hymns and the cadence of each noisy chant. Church buses stopped at the barricades and unloaded hundreds of people, many of whom did not appear to be living on the streets. -----It was billed as the largest homeless march in the past ten years--Lontae's Rally. (Grisham,1998:301)
Lontae’s Rally creates by alliance of CCNV, The 14th Street Legal Clinic, and
shelters member from some Social organization. This rally receives great sympathy from
public. The winning aspect of this rally towards poor people and homeless is public
support to keep running their struggle to claim their rights. But ironically, the Mayor had
no comment.
The rally for Lontae was the lead story at eleven. There were close-ups of the five black caskets lying on the steps of the District Building, and later as they were marched down the street. Mordecai was featured preaching to the masses. The crowd appeared larger than I had realized--the estimate was five thousand. The mayor had no comment. (Grisham, 1998:311)
Mass media published their news in attacking Congress and expose the failure of
Federal as quotation below:
A long editorial blistered Congress and the city for their failure to fund services for the homeless. Other Lontaes would follow, it warned. Other children would die in our streets, in the shadows of the U.S. Capitol. I paraphrased this for Ruby, who concurred with every phrase. (Grisham, 1998:315)
Investigation of that eviction continues. Journalists interest to explore that
case more depth. In addition, it of course disadvantages to the evictors reputation. An
illegal eviction has done by a great law firm together a famous real estate company in
USA.
The story was a natural for the Post. It began on page one, under a bold headline, and was continued on page ten where the photos were--a photo of Lontae taken from the placards at the rally for justice, one of Mordecai when he was ten years younger, and a set of three, which no doubt would humiliate the bluebloods at Drake & Sweeney. Arthur Jacobs was in the center, a mug shot of Tilman Gantry was on the left, and on the right was a mug shot of DeVon Hardy, who was linked to the story only because he'd been evicted and got himself killed in a newsworthy fashion. ------The story was long and thorough. It began with the eviction, and all the participants therein, including Hardy, who surfaced seven days later at the offices of Drake & Sweeney where he took hostages, one whom was me. From me it went to Mordecai, then to the deaths of the Burtons. It mentioned my arrest, though I had been careful to tell the reporter little about the disputed file. He was true to his word--we were never referred to by name, only as informed sources. I couldn't have written it better myself. Not a word from any of the defendants. It appeared as if the reporter made little or no effort to contact them.(Grisham, 1998:384)
Homeless and poor people struggle as victims of that eviction have a good position in Post news. Great pressure facing to the evictors and it makes spirit of struggle stronger.
Legal action is one of the 14th Street Legal Clinic lawyers to sue the Government policy that discriminate towards homeless and poor people. Many cases focused by them as description below:
"What, specifically, do you do?" I asked. I was enjoying our talk. He was fiery and bright, with a vast vocabulary that kept me reeling. "Two things. Policy. I work with other advocates to shape legislation. And I direct litigation, usually class actions. We've sued the Commerce Department because the homeless were grossly underrepresented in the ninety census. We've sued the District school system for refusing to admit homeless children. We've sued as a class because the District wrongfully terminated several thousand housing grants without due process. We've attacked many of the statutes designed to criminalize homelessness.
We'll sue for almost anything if the homeless are getting screwed." "That's complicated litigation." (Grisham, 1998:238)
In the court Mordecai become lawyer of Lontae’s family to sue River Oaks and
Drake & Sweeney in front of judge as mediator to make clear this case. Mordecai sue the indemnity of Lontae and her four children death. This way is a way of poor people that helped by a street lawyer to claim their rights in the court. Drake & Sweeney admit their mistake who done illegal eviction. Therefore, he receives mediation of DeOrio as judge to do restorative justice or finishing Lawsuit without Jury. The process of mediation described in quotation below:
"Mr. Green," he began, "I have met with the lawyers for the defendants. Here's their best offer: the sum of three million dollars, and a one-year suspension for Mr. Brock." Mordecai had barely settled into his seat, when he bounced forward. "Then we're wasting our time," he said and grabbed his briefcase. I jumped up to follow him. "Please excuse us, Your Honor," he said. "But we have better things to do." We started for the aisle between the pews. "You're excused," the Judge said, very frustrated. We left the courtroom in a rush. (Grisham, 1998:456)
Mordecai sue payment of damage toward Lontae and his children death. He explains his claim of damage to the Judge explicitly. This action is a way of Mordecai to shows how poor people and homeless rights are very important in the face of law. In order to evictors, do not easily repeat his illegal eviction again to others homeless,
Mordecai does not give a chance to them to win in the front of the Judge.
"If they can pay four million, then they can certainly pay five." Mordecai pointed again, back to Drake &Sweeney. "This defendant had gross billings last year of almost seven hundred million dollars." He paused as the numbers echoed around the courtroom. "Seven hundred million dollars, last year alone." Then he pointed at RiverOaks. "And this defendant owns real estate worth three hundred and fifty million dollars.
Give me a jury."
----- They may be forced to raise rents and hourly rates, but they certainly know how to do that." A structured settlement with an extended payout made sense. Because of the instability of the heirs, and the fact that most of them were still unknown, the money would be carefully guarded by the court. Mordecai's latest onslaught was nothing short of brilliant. There was a notice able relaxing in the Drake & Sweeney group. He had given them a way out. (Grisham, 1998:465- 466).
Mordecai success to make Drake & Sweeney pay for damage. He can show that the street lawyer can claim poor people and homeless right from the evictors. This is a success of a rights struggle of poor people. Successful of Mordecai hopes can make poor people and homeless have addition spirit to struggle claim their rights. Though it just a little success, it become an example how a struggle of alliance power between lawyers, social organization activist that organize Lontae’s rally, and poor people-homeless self can press the court to take their rights.
To save of long life struggles in the next time, Mordecai as a Director of The 14th
Street Legal Clinic plans a pro bono program to recruit new street lawyers. It purpose to add power of his clinic in giving service to poor people and homeless when they want to claim their rights. This program also purposes to make poor people struggle more massive in the next time. It is the great dream of Mordecai who tell to Michael Brock as can be shown in description below:
There were two other projects of particular interest to Mordecai. The first was a pro bono program the clinic had once organized, then allowed to slip away as federal monies evaporated. At its peak, the program had a hundred lawyers volunteering a few hours a week to help the homeless. He asked me to consider reviving it. I liked the idea; we could reach more people, make more contacts within the established bar, and broaden our base for raising funds. That was the second project. ----
"And our people are suffering. This is our golden moment to turn it around." And the challenge belonged to me. I was the new blood, the new talent who would reinvigorate the clinic and take it to the next level. I would brighten up the place with dozens of new volunteers. I would build a fund-raising machine so that we could lawyer on the same field as anyone. We would expand, even knock the boards off the windows upstairs and fill the place with talented advocates. The rights of the homeless would be protected, as long as they could find us. And their voices would be heard through ours. (Grisham, 1998:468)
All of explanation above giving evidence that Legal Aid Clinic and Social
Organization as civil society alliance for poor people struggle in “The Street Lawyer” novel. There are several poor people struggles various to claim their rights. The role of poor people together activist of social organizations in the campaign of war eviction, the role of street lawyers in sue the evictors in front of the Judge are good cooperation each other to implement humanity of Human Rights values and social justice for a good life in the world.
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
5.1. Conclusion
After analyze of The Street Lawyer novel, the writer concludes many social problems that can cause poor people build a struggle to claim their rights occur on this novel. In many ways, the book is a social satire, particularly reveal inequality that existed between the classes in
Washington and New York.
Poor people struggle is obviously being the main topic on this novel. Many kinds of poor people problematic in struggle is found on the novel. John Grisham obviously wanted to show the contrasts of two worlds, between the rich and the poor people. Their life were different each other. Moreover, how the gap of the rich and the poor could be identified from what they wore. Moreover, importance of that case is why there is a large gap in social society and why there is a struggle of poor people. The end, how poor people and homeless do their struggles.
In this research, the writer found that struggle of classes between poor people and capitalist or oppressors appears a dynamics in the society. Poor people, homeless, and civil society emphasize their position against the oppressors. The oppressors in this novel represent by evictors, namely Drake & Sweeney Law Firm cooperation with RiverOaks Real Estate
Company. To against them, there is Legal Aid for homeless and social organizations together homeless build a struggle to claim poor people and homeless rights. They sue the oppressors and do class action to the court as their efforts to claim their rights. Social organizations organize poor people and homeless in some shelter. In this shelter, poor people and homeless given food,
bedstead, and Legal clinic to consult their problems before the street lawyers sue their rights to
government or to the court. Moreover, there is protest rally to campaign anti eviction in that city.
Those are the kinds of poor people and homeless struggles.
Injustice and discrimination toward poor people are the basic of poor people in struggle.
The rich people that represented by great law firm and real estate company allowed by
government in DC to sent poor people to the streets. In additional, policy of Federal government
that cut social fund for homeless makes homeless do not take their rights as citizen. Moreover,
Major in DC forbids homeless to sit and sleep in City Park and other public space. There is no
social justice for poor people and homeless. Those the reason, why poor people and homeless
struggle to claim their rights.
In poor people struggle, there are the roles of other some civil society unsure. The role of
Legal Clinic for homeless as the street lawyers of homeless and poor people is one of them.
Beside it, there are some social organization through their activist who organizes poor people
and homeless in the shelters. Those elements that build alliance to move forward struggle as
unity to claim poor people and homeless rights. Build a unity through alliance of poor people,
homeless together street lawyers of Legal Clinic to homeless and Activists of some social
organizations is a method of poor people struggle to claim their rights. The struggle for justice to poor people.
5.2 Suggestion
In increasing literature knowledge and skills analysis in the future, the writer suggests to other whom wants to analyze this novel elaborate not only intrinsic and extrinsic aspects, but also sociological aspects of this novel. In this novel, many interesting theme can be found.
However, both major themes represented by the book are that humanity values and social justice
as basic spirit values of poor people struggles. With many themes, it is not a difficult thing to
analyze this novel.
It is important to understand that some stories which created by John Grisham is inspired by history of Legal Aid role in struggle. So the writer suggests to others who would like to read historical fact about poor people struggle on analyzing in this novel. In addition, conflict in this
novel is interesting to be analyzed too. Besides that, the role of lawyers through pro bono or
street lawyer program for homeless and poor people as a kind of a struggle from professional
lawyers is an interesting topic that can be analyzed deeply using law perspective, especially
using law critical theory. Those are suggestions of writer as a hope for the next research that
would analyze this “The Street Lawyer” novel.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Anwar, Ahyar. 2010. Teori Sosial Sastra. Yogyakarta: Ombak. Corstius.
Bottomore, T.B.1966. Classes in modern Society. London: George Allen and Unwin
Buckley Melina, LL.B., Ph.D. 2010.Moving Forward on Legal Aid, Research on Needs and Innovative Approaches.Ottawa: Canadian Bar Association Charters, Ann. 1987. The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. Second Edition. New York: A Bedford Book St. Martin’s Pres. Dalton Paul and Thelle Hatla. 2010. A Human Right To Legal Aid. Denmark: The Danish Institute For Human Rights Faruk, Dr. Pengantar Sosiologi Sastra: dari Strukturalisme Genetik sampai Post-Modernisme. Jakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 1999. Fleming,Don.2007. Legal aid and human rights. Canberra: University of Canberra, ACT
Gill, Richard. 1985. Mastering English Literature. London: Macmillan Press.
Gramscy, Antonio 1999. Selections From The Prison Notebooks.London: Lawrence & Wishart
Grisham, John.1998: The Street Lawyer.Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Landy, Joseph. V, SJ. 1972. Insight A Study of The Short Story. Manila : Jesuit Education.
Meyer David S. and Reyes Daisy V.. 2010. Handbook of Politics State and Society in Global Perspective. London: Springer Meyer David S. & Rohlinger Deana A. 2012 Big Books and Social Movements: A Myth of Ideas and Social Change. California: University of California Press Perrine, Laurence. 1983. Literature Structure, Sound and Sense. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanich Inc.
Selwyn, Benjamin (2013) "Karl Marx, Class Struggle and Labour-Centred Development," Global Labour Journal: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, p. 48-70. Tenrioji, Andi.2010.Social Critism In The Prince And The Pauper By Mark Twain. Thesis. English Department Faculty of Letters, Hasanuddin University. Zainuddin, Fananie. 2000. Telaah Sastra. Surakarta : Muhammadiyah University Press.
Internet
Caldbick John, 2010, Washington Population and Growth http://www.historylink.org/ , 21 November 2012 Grisham John, 2012, John Grisham Biography, http://www.jgrisham.com/bio/, 20 November 2012 Marx Karl, Manifesto of the Communist Part, accessed at http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/ 1848/communist- manifesto/ch01.htm, 23 November 2012 ------2012, Ronald Reagan, http://www.us-history.com/ronald-reagan/, 22 November 2012
------2012, Reagan Era www.wikipedia.org/reaganera, 22 November 2012
------2010,Affordable Housing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordable_housing, 20 November 2012
APPENDICES
Appendix I
Biography of John Grisham
Long before his name became synonymous with the modern legal thriller, he was
working 60-70 hours a week at a small Southaven, Mississippi, law practice, squeezing in time before going to the office and during courtroom recesses to work on his hobby—writing his first
novel.
Born on February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to a construction worker and a
homemaker, John Grisham as a child dreamed of being a professional baseball player. Realizing
he didn’t have the right stuff for a pro career, he shifted gears and majored in accounting at
Mississippi State University. After graduating from law school at Ole Miss in 1981, he went on
to practice law for nearly a decade in Southaven, specializing in criminal defense and personal
injury litigation. In 1983, he was elected to the state House of Representatives and served until
1990.
One day at the DeSoto County courthouse, Grisham overheard the harrowing testimony
of a twelve-year-old rape victim and was inspired to start a novel exploring what would have
happened if the girl’s father had murdered her assailants. Getting up at 5 a.m. every day to get in
several hours of writing time before heading off to work, Grisham spent three years on A Time
to Kill and finished it in 1987. Initially rejected by many publishers, it was eventually bought by
Wynwood Press, who gave it a modest 5,000 copy printing and published it in June 1988.
That might have put an end to Grisham’s hobby. However, he had already begun his next book, and it would quickly turn that hobby into a new full-time career—and spark one of publishing’s greatest success stories. The day after Grisham completed A Time to Kill, he began work on another novel, the story of a hotshot young attorney lured to an apparently perfect law firm that was not what it appeared. When he sold the film rights to The Firm to Paramount
Pictures for $600,000, Grisham suddenly became a hot property among publishers, and book rights were bought by Doubleday. Spending 47 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list,
The Firm became the bestselling novel of 1991.
The successes of The Pelican Brief, which hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list, and The Client, which debuted at number one, confirmed Grisham’s reputation as the master of the legal thriller. Grisham’s success even renewed interest in A Time to Kill, which was republished in hardcover by Doubleday and then in paperback by Dell. This time around, it was a bestseller.
Since first publishing A Time to Kill in 1988, Grisham has written one novel a year (his other books are The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, The
Runaway Jury, The Partner, The Street Lawyer, The Testament, The Brethren, A Painted House,
Skipping Christmas, The Summons, The King of Torts, Bleachers, The Last Juror, The Broker,
Playing for Pizza, The Appeal, The Associate, The Confession and The Litigators) and all of them have become international bestsellers. There are currently over 275 million John Grisham books in print worldwide, which have been translated into 40 languages. Nine of his novels have been turned into films (The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker,
The Chamber, A Painted House, The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas), as was an original
screenplay, The Gingerbread Man. The Innocent Man (October 2006) marked his first foray into
non-fiction, and Ford County (November 2009) was his first short story collection.
Grisham lives with his wife Renee and their two children Ty and Shea. The family splits
their time between their Victorian home on a farm in Mississippi and a plantation near
Charlottesville, VA.
Grisham took time off from writing for several months in 1996 to return, after a five-year
hiatus, to the courtroom. He was honoring a commitment made before he had retired from the
law to become a full-time writer: representing the family of a railroad brakeman killed when he
was pinned between two cars. Preparing his case with the same passion and dedication as his
books’ protagonists, Grisham successfully argued his clients’ case, earning them a jury award of
$683,500—the biggest verdict of his career.
When he’s not writing, Grisham devotes time to charitable causes, including most recently his Rebuild The Coast Fund, which raised 8.8 million dollars for Gulf Coast relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He also keeps up with his greatest passion: baseball. The man who dreamed of being a professional baseball player now serves as the local Little League commissioner. The six ball fields he built on his property have played host to over 350 kids on
26 Little League teams. (http://www.jgrisham.com/bio/)
Appendix II
Synopsis of The Street Lawyer novel
A homeless man calling himself "Mister" enters the offices of the Washington DC law
firm Drake & Sweeney and takes many of the lawyers hostage. Although he is eventually shot by a police sniper and the hostages freed, one of the hostages, an antitrust lawyer named Michael
Brock, is concerned by what he has learned and feels compelled to investigate further.
He finds his way to the 14th Street Legal Clinic, where he meets Mordecai Green, an
advocate for the homeless, who asks him to help one night at a homeless shelter. As Brock's
investigation deepens, he finds that his own employer was complicit in an illegal eviction, which
eventually resulted in the death of a young homeless family. He takes a confidential file,
intending to copy it, but is quickly suspected of its theft.
Shocked by what he has found, Brock leaves his firm to take a poorly-paid position with
the 14th Street Legal Clinic, which works to protect the rights of the homeless. This leads to his
wife divorcing him. He admits one of his clients, Ruby, to a therapy class for drug-addicted
women, and in the process meets Megan, the book's love interest.
As Drake & Sweeney comes after Brock with theft and malpractice allegations, the Clinic
launches a lawsuit against the law firm and its business partners. Terrified of the certain bad
publicity, the matter is settled by mediation and the clinic receives a large payout to be shared
with the victims of the eviction.
Drake & Sweeney's head partner, deeply troubled by the events, offers to make pro bono
staff available to assist the work of the Clinic in fighting for the rights of homeless people. The
book ends with Brock taking a short vacation with Megan and Ruby, and them reflecting on their
lives. (Summarized from www,wikipedia/thestreetlawyer)