Theme-Classism
The main theme within the novel revolves around classism. Through the characters and events in the novel Grisham clearly displays that classism has negative effects on one’s life. The character that is mainly affected by the events is Luke. Luke is exposed to classism on a day to day basis through the older members of his family and since he is following by example he begins to judge the characters from a lower cast or he is judged because of his family’s social status. This is displayed when:
Being from the town of Black Oak Luke is aware that the Latchers are not the wealthiest people in town. In fact they live in very poor conditions with no form of transportation or electricity and a low supply of food. Due to this knowledge he often degrades their family.After discovering that the Chandlers and Latchers maybe related because Libby Latcher is pregnant with his uncle, Ricky Chandler’s baby, he begins to think of them as a disgrace to his family’s reputation.
“[…] thought of folks knowing that the Chandlers and the Latchers maybe related horrified me” (Grisham,214).
“There was no grass around the house, just a ring of dirt where a horde of little Latchers played. I was secretly happy that they lived on the other side…I might have been expected to play with them “(Grisham, 121).
At one point in the story, the characters Tally and Cowboy develop a relationship, which they are afraid to reveal to society because they know it would never be accepted. As result the two characters elope to the northern region to live a happy married life. Following this act, when Luke is informed of this shocking news he judges Tally for running away with a lower cast otherwise known as Cowboy, a Mexican boy.
“Their beloved Tally has run away with someone they considered low-bred, a dark-skinned intruder from a godsaken country” (Grisham, 366).
“she has voluntarily run off with a Mexican which was low-class and disgraceful thing to do,”
Hank degrades the Chandler’s because their house isn't painted. This has a huge impact on Luke as he continues to paint his family farm house, which Trot had secretly started, with a glistering white, instead of saving his money for the cardinal jacket that he really wanted.
“We got a house nicer than yours, boy…..You ain’t gonna believe this boy, but our houses got paint on it, white paint”, (Grisham, 73).
“My intermediate project, however was to finish what trot had begun. I hauled the paint to the front porch,..” (Grisham,378)
Being from the town of Black Oak Luke is aware that the Latchers are not the wealthiest people in town. In fact they live in very poor conditions with no form of transportation or electricity and a low supply of food. Due to this knowledge he often degrades their family.After discovering that the Chandlers and Latchers maybe related because Libby Latcher is pregnant with his uncle, Ricky Chandler’s baby, he begins to think of them as a disgrace to his family’s reputation.
“[…] thought of folks knowing that the Chandlers and the Latchers maybe related horrified me” (Grisham,214).
“There was no grass around the house, just a ring of dirt where a horde of little Latchers played. I was secretly happy that they lived on the other side…I might have been expected to play with them “(Grisham, 121).
At one point in the story, the characters Tally and Cowboy develop a relationship, which they are afraid to reveal to society because they know it would never be accepted. As result the two characters elope to the northern region to live a happy married life. Following this act, when Luke is informed of this shocking news he judges Tally for running away with a lower cast otherwise known as Cowboy, a Mexican boy.
“Their beloved Tally has run away with someone they considered low-bred, a dark-skinned intruder from a godsaken country” (Grisham, 366).
“she has voluntarily run off with a Mexican which was low-class and disgraceful thing to do,”
Hank degrades the Chandler’s because their house isn't painted. This has a huge impact on Luke as he continues to paint his family farm house, which Trot had secretly started, with a glistering white, instead of saving his money for the cardinal jacket that he really wanted.
“We got a house nicer than yours, boy…..You ain’t gonna believe this boy, but our houses got paint on it, white paint”, (Grisham, 73).
“My intermediate project, however was to finish what trot had begun. I hauled the paint to the front porch,..” (Grisham,378)
Connections
There is a clear connection between the author, John Grisham and the character Luke. Therefore, it is evident that Luke characteristics are based on Grisham's life experiences. Grisham expresses the character Luke to have a dream to become a baseball just as he wanted when he was younger.In addition, the setting of the story which takes place in Arkansas is developed from Grisham's childhood home.