Homelessness: John Grisham’s view upon social injustice reflected in the street lawyer (a sociological approach)

Oleh :
Saputro Wiji Utomo - C0302056 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT 2008. This research analyzes John Grisham’s view upon social injustice to the homeless in the novel The Street Lawyer. It concerns on the social injustice toward the homeless in America. That condition motivates Michael Brock to fight for homeless rights against criminalization and marginalization to the homeless. As the social condition has an important point in this research, sociological approach is suitable to use, especially the social condition of the work as the setting of background. The purpose of the research is to explain Michael Brock’s struggle to fight for the homeless rights against injustice that represents Grisham’s view upon social injustice to the homeless. Michael’s interaction and obstacles can be known easily, that will give a clear understanding upon the homeless condition in United States. The result of the this research will be useful for the readers who learn about American society, and the social fact in the United States, and for other researchers who will take a research about American society, especially social fact in united states using sociological approach. The research applies descriptive-qualitative-library research by conducting the research in the library, not in the field or laboratory. The researcher uses books, other writings, and data from the internet to support the research on Grisham’s view on the social injustice to the homeless. The source of this data research is the novel The Street Lawyer published by Bantam Dell in 2003. The data are the interaction, the dialogue, and other information in this novel dealing with the theme. Grisham view upon criminalization and marginalization to the homeless can be seen from Michael’s struggle to help the homeless fighting for their rights. Grisham sees that the government criminalizes the homeless by conducting rules that prevent the homeless to stay in public places. Homeless are also being marginalization by the lack chances of getting proper jobs to improve their lives and the lack of law protection. Grisham sees that the government and the society should provide more help for the homeless so they can improve their life.