Homelessness is a disease tearing at the very framework of our society. John Grisham in The Street Lawyer addresses this issue. Grisham uses the impetus of homelessness to motivate and create a conflict within the delicate psyche of a young lawyer on his way to the top of a large D.C. firm called Drake & Sweeney. Michael Brock is caught in a hostage situation, narrowly avoiding death. The hostage turns out to be a disgruntled homeless man whom Drake & Sweeney have put back on the street. This starts the gears turning in Michael's head he keeps asking the question why. The curiosity overwhelms him and there ends his lucrative Drake & Sweeney career and begins Michael's life as a street lawyer. Grisham believes that we all should confront society's moral standards while simultaneously struggling to develop our own idea of what is right and true.

Grisham can relate to these ideals commonly held by a street lawyer. It all began on February 8, in 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. That was when and where John Grisham was born. He was raised in a family of five children. During his youth he moved around a lot because his father was a construction worker. All through

Throughout the beginning of the book a pattern appears: Michael cares little about family, justice for those ignored by the system, and love. For example, Michael works all day, spending little or no time with his wife, only concerned with making partner at the firm. However, Michael does feel a strong attraction toward wealth and power. This is evident when Michael says; "I walked away from $910,000 as a partner." His marriage is actually crumbling out from underneath him because of his quest for money and a powerful position as partner at Drake & Sweeney. Michael is also concerned with his image. This is seen through his luxury car and high price lawyer suits. He has no

Literary devices such as theme, motif, mood, and setting all contribute to the aura and complexity of this twisting tale. Yet throughout, Michael struggled to find himself, to realize who Michael Brock really was. "Grisham speaks to the real conflict many people face today of trying to maintain a balance between their personal values and the demands of an intensely competitive workplace." (3) In the end Michael discovered he was at home in the streets of Washington fighting for well fare and child support. Thus showing how confronting society's harshness, martyring yourself for the good of others is an important aspect to our civilization.

Grisham's career has been a long winding road with many twists and turns. These actions somewhat mirror the actions of the protagonists in the novels he writes. He has gone through many career stages throughout his adult life, Grisham was a lawyer and got himself an office in Southaven where he practiced both criminal an civil law. He was also ventured into the realm of politics, where he was elected into the Mississippi state House of Represenitives. Yet durring his stay at MSU the career we all now know him for, writer.

prominate Washington homeless lawyer, to his new place of employment, "We drove the well plowed streets of Northwest Washington, blocks and sections of boarded up row

houses, passed projects so tough ambulance drivers refuse to enter" (Grisham 84). It is

This setback does not hinder Michael or his work in any way. He can still do all of the same activities he has now grown accustomed to. The only drawback is if one of his clients needs to go to court Mordacai will have to represent them. Through this we

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1660
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)