THE AMERICAN MYTH OF SUCCES AS REFLECTED BY JOHN GRISHAM IN HIS BEST SELLER NOVEL
‘THE FIRM’
MINOR THESIS
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment as Requirement For Sarjana Degree
in English Department Faculty of Letters And Fine Arts
By
RIRIS EKO ARSANTI C. 0395009
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY
Approved to be examined before The Board of Examiners Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts
Sebelas Maret University
Thesis Supervisors:
1. Dra Hj. Tri retno Pudyastuti (………...) NIP 131 472 639
2. Dra. Susilorini, MA (………...)
Accepted and Approved by The Board of Examiners Faculty of Letters, Sebelas Maret University
On April 29, 2003
The Board of Examiners
1.Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.Ed. (………...) Chairman NIP. 131 569 264
2. Fitria Akhmerti Primasita, SS., MA. (………...) Secretary NIP. 132 205 442
3. Dra. Hj. Tri Retno Pudyastuti, M.Hum. (………...) First Examiner NIP. 131 472 639
4. Dra. Susilorini, MA. (………...) Second Examiner NIP. 132 000 807
Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts Sebelas Maret University
Dean
Motto
Allah kelak akan memberikan kelapangan sesudah kesempitan (kesusahan). (QS ath-Thalaq ayat 7)
Allah tidak membebani seseorang melainkan sesuai dengan kesanggupannya (Q.S. Al-Baqarah ayat 286)
The biggest spirit and the biggest enemy comes nowhere but inside you (Myself)
Pekerjaan menunda-nunda hampir pasti mengundang masalah bila tidak ada perhitungan yang benar.
(Aa Gym)
DEDICATION
With all my heart, I dedicate this thesis to the persons who have taught me how to be stronger than before:
My beloved late father and my mother, who has given me the best love, patience and support in all my life. I am so lucky having you all in this world.
Simbahku, I am very sorry if I did something wrong. My dearest brother, Dwi Wijanarko
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdullilah! First of all I would state my highest gratitude to the Mighty Allah, The One, Who Always give me his glory and secret blessing even when sometimes I ignore Him. I thank Him for giving me chance and time to finish this exhausting study.
I realize that I will not be able to finish this thesis without the help and contribution of many people. In this opportunity I would like to thank to:
1. Dr. Maryono Dwi Raharjo, SU, the Dean of Faculty of Letter and Fine Arts 2. Drs. Riyadi Santosa M.Ed, the Chief of English Department, who gave me his
permission and guidance to finish my study and thesis.
3. Drs. Sudarno, M.A, the first assistance of Dean of Faculty of Letters, who allowed my thesis being examined.
4. Dra. Hj. Tri Retno Pudyastuti, my first thesis consultant. I gratitude her who has given me her immeasurable guidance and support for the perfection of the thesis and I am very sorry to trouble her.
5. Dra. Susilorini, MA, my second consultant. I would state my appreciation for her patience, understanding and supporting idea in finishing the thesis.
6. Prof. Dr. Thomas Soemarno, MPd, as my Academic Advisor. I would thank him for his guidance during my study.
8. Ibu Sunarti, my mother and my late father, Munandar, thank you for the love and sacrifices you’ve all given me. Without all of your assistance I am still nothing is this world.
9. My brother, Wewek, bro, our journey is still in the beginning. Keep fighting and praying.
10.To my old special friend of “Giri Ayu”, Aanisandro Del Piero, Ita “Fillipo”, Henny “Si Banyu”, and Anty “the amazing” and her friends (Mas Bowo, Andri Irawan, mas-mas makasih tumpangannya). Thanks for the great time together. With you all guys, I experienced so many wonderful unforgettable moments.
11. All of Al-Ashr’s members: Miftah, Yu Aas (Thanks for providing me with excellent food, music, motor and room), De’ Ety (Keep your commitment, and let’s dance), De’ Ira S.H and her Dimas (ojo pacaran wae, ono setan lewat), Asfi (play your guitar, ngamen, yuk!), De’ Norma (Thanks, sorry ngrepotin ae), Putu (nonton tv terus, makasih motore), Era & Ita (wake up, girls) and my other sisters Ira Bj, Rini (latah is the best), Isna, Tatik, Yayan, Ayu, (keep studying),Yuyun, and Ana.
12.My friend of English Department ’95: Melly and Dewi (I am glad to have friends like you), Ido (thanks for the spirit), Dana (Finally, we’ve made it up), Nana, Desi, Imut, Roni, Anwar, Arif, Laila and all of you, that cannot be mentioned in here.
14.Mr.”T”, ( The hiding guy). Hi, man, everything is meant to be. We will never know Alloh’s plans. Just be happy and enjoy your life.
Finally , I hope this invaluable thesis might be useful to people who share the similar interest.
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The American Myth of Success as Reflected By John Grisham in his bestseller novel The Firm
Name: Riris Eko Arsanti Nim : C.0395009
Abstract
This minor thesis discussed about one of American popular literature, that was written by John Grisam. The researcher was interested so much in exploring the American myth of success which was reflected by John Grisham in his novel The Firm.
The research took the form of library research that utilizing the descriptive technique. The approaches used in this thesis to analize the main data, Grisham’s The Firm, were sociology and cultural anthropology. These approaches were useful to elaborate and and comprehend the American myth of success phenomenon which was revealed in The Firm.
Based on analysis, it was found that the American myth of success had inspired some characters in the novel (lawyers, law firm and FBI agents) to work hard and realize their dreams. The myth of success had played roles in shaping some of American modern people habit, opinion and way of life. Also it was found that to some people’s opinion myth of success was connoted with the attaining of material objects but not to the others’. Finnally it can be concluded that American myth of success was seen differently by some of American people. It can also be pointed that some of American people applied different way to achieve success.
1. Introduction
1.1. Background of Choosing The Subject
Popular culture, indeed, plays important role in the development of American contemporary culture and society. Through its media such as, television, radio, magazines and newspaper, advertisement or book, it brings great influence on American people's way of life, opinion, habit and attitude.
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known by the audience. It confirms the experience of the majority as written by Russell Nye, “Popular culture confirms the experience of majority in contrast to elite art, which tends to explore the new. For this reason, popular art has been a usually sensitive and accurate reflector of attitudes and concerns of the society for which it is produced" (Rusell Nye, 1970: 10).
There are many aspects and segments of popular culture that can be studied. Among them is about the myth, that its existence brings great influence to some of American people. Myth of American hero, myth of success, myth of freedom and so forth, are often being exposed and exploited in motion pictures, fashion, advertisement, best-seller novels, and other products. Those myths are believed to be true by the audience, although most of them are not. Sometimes those myths are used as a guideline by the people to live their life. Therefore, the writer wants to reveal the American myth that is reflected by a popular literature through one of John Grisham's novel.
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American law. Grisham got a lot of compliment from local paper and magazines, like this written by The Commercial Appeal, “…A winner. …Positioned to fly off the bookshelves… Grisham a criminal dfense lawyer, has an eye for the detail of his profession, whereever his plot goes, the novel carries the authencity of someone who has been there and paying attention…” (The Commercial Appeal in The Firm, 1991:iii). Therefore one of John Grisham novel entitled The Firm is going discussed in this study.
The Firm is chosen in this discussion since it can give a description about how myth of success is regarded and applied by some members of American modern society, in this case lawyers and the FBI agents. This novel also described that dream of being succes can encourage someone to get up from poverty and become millionaire. Besides, The Firm also confirmed the general belief that myth of succes is always connoted with the material object, such as finest clothes, job, housing or automobile and the hard work is believed to be the key to afford it.
The Firm was John Grisham' s second novel published in 1991. Spending 47 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, The Firm became the bestselling novel of 1991. It is the story of a hotshot young attorney lured to an apparently law firm that was not it appeared (http://www.randomhouse.com). Similar to the other novels, this novel also exposes some common and critical issues on American law and crimes, like murders or money laundering.
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work is started from here. Besides, in this novel is also explained about the hard work of the FBI agents to enforce the law and the Mafia family to cover up their illegitimate business.
The phenomenon found in this novel will show that the meaning of success is seen differently by the American people. In this study the discussion is going to describe the ways some of the American to make their dream come true in a such competitive rude world as seen in John Grisham’s novel The Firm.
1.2. Problem Statement
Considering the explanation and reasons, therefore the writer formulates the problems as follows: How is the American myth of success related with the American Law and crime as reflected by John Gresham through his novel The Firm? 1.3. Literature Review
1.3.1. Theoretical Approach
Research on popular culture, mass culture or media culture has been widely known and labelled 'cultural studies', which refers to the study of cultural artefacts or texts offered by the producers to the audience. It can be box office movies, rap music, popular singers like Madonna or Michael Jackson or it can just be a car or a can of soft-drink. Seen artefacts or texts can be as simple as the words on page or as complex as the performance of a play.
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values, concepts or beliefs that can be easily accepted and comprehended. In the other hand, audience often identify themselves to the characters or problems presented in a popular fiction. Hence, it can be said that between popular fiction and society exist a unique relationship. That the authors of popular fiction need the society as their sources of inspiration, in contrast the society need that fiction as escapism.
In fact, research on popular fiction can involve so many complicated theories and approaches such as sociological, historical, psychological, anthropological and many more. And in this thesis, to analize and to study John Grisham’s novel The Firm sociological and cultural anthropological approaches will be applied. This application is in line with R. Spiller’s statement in his book Late
Harvest :
The application to the American field of new concepts, material and methods of cultural and comparative-cultural studies in the disciplines of sociology and cultural anthropology. Such study might involve artifacts, values, social institution, role, behavioral habits, concepts or any other factors that form meaningful cultural configuration when limited and defined by an area and period of time. And mass media is obviously rich source for material for such study (Spiller, 1982:225).
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Besides, cultural anthropology approach is also going to be used in this discussion. Cultural anthropology is a branch of anthropology disciplines, that according to Marvin Harries provides a global and and comparative perspective for understanding the origin and prospects of the modern world (Marvin Harries, 1994:xv). Moreover he stated that it will help people learning about the customs and belief of people who are alive today or who lived in recent past—people who inhabit great cities and are citizens of superpowers, as well as people who live in tiny desert bands and remote jungle village (Marvin Harries, 1994:xv).
So, cultural anthropology will be heplful in analyzing some cultural product of modern people, including the product of popular culture. He said that, ‘cultural anthropology deals with the description and anaysis of cultures—the socially learned traditions—of past and present ages. Furthermore Harries explained:
…It will tell you about your own customs and beliefs—how they originated, why they are maintaned, and why they are changing. In other words, it will tell you a good deal about who you are and why you and your relatives, friends, and fellow citizens think and act in certain ways and not in others (Marvin Harries, 1994:xv).
Cultural anthropological approach is going to be applied in this discussion since The Firm can be classified as a cultural product which was created by a member of American society. This approach will be useful to comprehend the implementation of myth of success of the certain members of American society, in this case lawyers and FBI agents. Also this approach will describe about some aspects that shape the concepts of myth of success and how myth of success can establish certain habit and way of life of some people.
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The United States of America will still be seen as 'a land of opportunity' by its people and the people of another country, even in this modern era. This country give equal chances for all of people to have successful life and realize their dreams. It is like stated by Polludan, '...that America had remained a 'land of opportunity' offering to all the chance to improve their material and spiritual well being' (Polludan, 1978:2).
Not all of American people live in a happy prosperous life, still many of them is below the poverty line. As informed by US Information Agency that, 'about fourteen percent of the population is below the poverty line established by the federal government. In 1982 the poverty line for non-farm family was an annual income of $ 9,860. Families of that size that have less income are eligible to receive benefits from special social welfare programs. However, there are three-fifth of all families and individuals in the middle or high rank. They are able to afford the basic need- food, shelter and clothing- but also many of the comforts of modern living. Workers have become major consumers of the good they produce. They are individuals in the middle or high rank (US Information Agency, 1986:65).
The members of American modern society always dream of being successful in improving their material and spiritual well. The basis definition for success is material object and hard work is believed to be the key of success, as stated by Paludan:
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From that statement can be seen that an individuals considered as a worthwhile human being if he acquire such things as: congenial employment, fancy houses or the latest expensive cars. Success also might be associated with the realization of some of component of the American Dream. It is like written by Marsden:
Myth of success is considered as the material and spiritual achievements of the American, which may be associated with the realization of some component of the American Dream. The myth of success connotes the actualization of American prosperous life as reflected in the accumulation of material object and food (Marsden, 1995: 420).
Myth of success has encouraged people to have dreams and to make it come true. It is believed that success will be in hand if people are willing to work hard. However, Marsden, argued that "it would be a great mistake to say that because of the basis of reality, the American myth of success is therefore "true". We need only open the daily newspaper to find that a commitment to hard work does not always insure success. But in collective American mind this does not make the hard work as prelude to success equal to lie" (Marsden in Singh, 1995:420-421).
One of many devices that has played important role in giving idea and example what is meant by success is popular culture. Through the popular media as, television, advertisement or motion picture it suggest the American modern society what to do and not to do in reaching success. The center of American succes never goes far away from material objects. Dealing with this matter, Wilson stated:
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It seems that hard work is viewed as an important aspect if someone wants to be success in United States. Even there is a belief that the poorer you are, the more you should save, and the harder you should work: "The first principle is that in order to move up, the poor must not only work, they must work harder that the class above them (Gilden in Harris, 1990:370).
Success was seen as the result of hard work by individual and therefore evidence of strong moral character; failure by definition was seen as an admission of personal weakness or laziness (Paludan, 1978:6).
The American myth of success and hard work as its essential key will linger forever in the collective mind of American people. It will always be a part of American Dream.
2. Analysis
People, who live in United States, are free in having their own ideal dream and to make it come true. United States gives equal chances for its people to improve their material and spiritual well being. The equal opportunity, individual self-improvement, and economic prosperity for all were thought to be essential ingredients of the "American Dream", a dream that had come true for many (Paludan, 1978:3).
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objects has made people work harder and do their best efforts. John Grisham in his novel The Firm captured this phenomena. It gives description that in attaining success people can do anything. This novel also tells that success will have different meaning for different people. What is the meaning of success to Mitchell McDeere will be different with the meaning of success in the FBI agents' minds or the owner of a law firm. In this section is going to be discussed deeply about the meaning of success related with the American law and crime.
Mitchell McDeere, the main character of this novel, is described as a newly graduated lawyer from the Harvard Law School. This man is dreaming of job that could satisfy his need and equal with hard work he had managed during his school. And his intention is joining a firm that offering him the highest salary and some comfort things. Actually he was holding three jobs offers and it is The Bendini and Lambert Law firm, that offered the highest salary of all. Finally, Micth decided to choose that firm. In this firm he works like a machine and dreamed of being a partner as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the firm is owned by the a Mafia family, The Morolto Family. This firm had long been watched by The FBI for their illegal business like tax evasion, money laundering and racketeering. In that firm Mitch is almost next to realizing all his dreams.
Mithcell McDeere, who come from a poor family, is dying of getting success in his life. He had worked hard in his life, that can be seen ain the statement below.
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football and making perfect grades. They know he seldom slept. They knew he was hungry. He was their man. (TF, p.12).
Poverty has motivated Mitch to work harder than anybody else. This belief is also shared by some of American people that the poorer you are, the more you should save and the harder you should work. (Harris, 1990:370). From that expression Grisham point out that poverty can serve as an one of the important factors in instigating people to improve their material and spiritual well-being. Besides, Grisham also reveals that poverty can characterize people’s way of life and thinking.
To achieve his biggest dream as taxation lawyer, Mitch decides to take his further study in Harvard. Harvard is one of American outstanding university that every young people dream of being its student. Harvard has resulted graduation that having best quality.
"Why did you select Harvard?"
"Actually, Harvard selected me. I applied at several schools and accepted everywhere. Harvard offered me financial assistance. I thought it was the best school. Still do" (TF, p.2).
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he made the highest grade in the class. This statement below also confirms the opinion that one with good educational background is very respected.
You've done quite well here Mitch," Mr. :Lambert said, admiring the resume. The dossier was in the briefcase, under the table.
"Thank you, I've worked hard."
"You made extremely high grades in your tax and securities courses." "That's where may interest lies."
"We've reviewed your writing sample and it's quite impressive."
A profession, that still believed to offer many pleasure is lawyer. For many years, a lawyer is regarded as a profession that can make a person multimillionaire. And John Grisham tried to confirm this assumption in The Firm, that can be seen hundred and twenty thousand in New York. (TF, p.9).
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"...We take only rich clients - corporation, bank and wealthy people who pay our healthy fees and never complain. We've developed a specialty in international taxation, and it's both exiting and very profitable. We deal only with people who can pay "(TF, p.9).
And there are still many pleasure offered by occupation as lawyers., as joining an elite club or riding an expensive car,. It can be seen from this statement.
The Manhattan Club occupied the top floor of ten-story office building which had last been fully occupied in the early fifties. Avery referred to the structure as a dump but was quick to point that the club was the most exclusive lunch and dinner refuge in city. It offered excellent food, in an all -male rich-male, plush environment. Powerful lunches for powerful people. Bankers, lawyers, executives, entrepreneurs, a few politician and a few aristocrats. A gold-plated elevator ran nonstop past the deserted offices and stopped on the elegant tenth floor.(TF, p.62).
For lawyers joining an elite club or riding an expensive car have become a way of life. For lawyers, a club is often used as a place to meet with many more important people, build a beneficial partnership and more rich clients. Being a lawyer also means open up the opportunity of having excellent political career.
Mitch McDeree finally, decides to work with the firm in order to get succes he had dreaming of. And it seems that The Bendini and Lambert law firm can satisfy his desire of success. In this novel, Grisham stresess that nothing come easily, so do the success, there are a lot of things that should be sacrifice. But mostly, one thing that must be sacrificed by individual to achieve success is time. It is shown by the statement below.
"There's always the pressure to bill more and more. All we have to sell is our time. Once you pass the par the bar exam your billing will be monitored weekly by Tolar and Royce McKnight. It's all computerized and they can tell down to the dime how productive you are. You'll be expected to bill thirty to forty hours a week for the first six months. Then fifty for a couple years, Before they'll consider you for a partner, you've got to hit sixty hours a week consistently over period of years."
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"Sounds that way, but it's deceptive. Most good lawyer can work eight to nine hours a day and bill twelve." (TF,p.67-68).
It is not a wonder when a lawyer in that firm works around the clock. The members of that firm do not mind how many hour they had spent but how much they can bill in each day.
Mitch flipped through the document. "How many hours a day do I work on this?"
"As many as possible. I know the bar exam is important, but so is Sonny Capps. He paid us almost a half million last year in legal fees.
"I'll get it done."
"I know you will. As I told you, your rate is one hundred an hour. Nina will go over the time records with you today.
Remember, don't ignore the billing." “How could I forget?"
Once a lawyer enters the firm, he will enforce to work harder and harder until become a partner. Becoming the partner form as the biggest dream of every new associate in the firm. And Mitch as the newest associate also posses the same dream. His bigest dream is becoming the partner within two years. He has already broken, and he wannted he money (TF, p: 40).
One of the firm’s partner of, Avery, described Mitch as a machine, that he never got tired of working almost around the clock. It is shown by this statement.
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He had made himself a legend around the firm. The other members of the firm had admitted Mitch’s hard work. He had obsessed to bill more and more.
However, the Mitch’s workchaholic is unbearable for her wife Abby. She is very concerned about the way his husband’s works and started complaining. The Abby's expressions show that Micth is far forced himself to hit success and hard pushed it so hard. It can be seen that someone’s desire of success can create a new habit and behaviour, whether good or bad. In this below statement, Grisham tries to say that the dream of success has made people work too hard, and sometimes egnored the family.
"...You didn't complain in law school when I studied around the clock."
"It was different. I endure law school because I knew it would soon end. But now you're a lawyer and you'll be long time. Is this part of it? Will you always work a thousand hours a week?
"Abby, this is my first week."
"That's what worries me. It will only get worse." "Sure it will. That's part of it Abby.
She did not answer. She waited. 'Are you coming home?" "No I need to work all night."
"All night? You can't work all night, Mitch."
"Of course I can work all night. Happens all the time around here. It's expected."
(TF, p: 96).
Success, sometimes, also can make lawyers giving up their ideal concept about what a good lawyer should be. Money, power and popularity will easily change someone’s perspective about work and life. Lawyers are no longer work for somebody else sakeness, but only cheasing much more profits and money. Grisham captures this phenomenon, when Mitch asked Lamar about aspect that would be acquired by a lawyer.
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… “A certain amount of cynicism. This business works on you. When you were in law school you had some noble idea of what a lawyer should be. A champion of individual rights; a defender of the Constitution; a guardian of the oppressed; an advocate for your client’s principles. Then after you practice for six months you realize we’re nothnig but hired gun. Mouthpieces for sale to highest bidder, available to anybody, any crook, any sleazebag with enough money to pay our outrages fees. Nothing shocks you. It’s supposed to be honorable profession, but you’ll meet so many crooked lawyers, you’ll want to quit and find an honest job. Yeah, Mitch, you’ll get cynical. And it’s sad really” (TF, p:69).
From this statement Grisham tries to explain that the occupation as lawyer was very tiring. Success and money can drown people to work twenty four hours each day and start to ignore things except the work. And it is empasized that not only time and family that should be sacrificed by lawyer but also their concept about ideal lawyer.
Grisham also wants to state that a workchaholic habit can create other problems if someone cannot manage their schedule and their time. One can loose his or her precious time with family, that in the end it cause destruction.
This novel also reflects that success requires person who has the spirits and the guts to face the harder competition and challenges. The success will not come to weak and lazy people. This opinion can be seen through Mitch's argument with his wife.
"Sure it will. That's part of it , Abby. It's a cutthroat business where the weak are eaten and the strong get rich. It's a marathon He who endures wins the gold."
"And dies at the finish line” ( TF, p. 97).
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opinion how to viewed success and maintain it. This can be seen from the Oliver Lambert's description to Mitch McDeere.
"It's an impressive firm, Mitch," Oliver Lambert said, "and we're proud of it. We're a close-knit fraternity. We're small and we take care of each other. We don't have the cutthroat competition the big firms are famous for, each new associate to become a partner as soon as possible. Toward the end we invest an enormous amount of time and money in ourselves, especially our new people. It is a rare, extremely rare occasion when lawyer leaves our firm. It is simple unheard of. We go the extra mile to keep careers on track. We want our people happy. We think it is the most profitable way to operate" (TF, p.11).
The statement above confirms that to encourage their member achieving success the firm determine more smoothly approach. The firm demanded the members not to cross the line and do something useless. John Grisham in The Firm also mentioned some aspects that can make a lawyer hit success, one of those is never goes on chasing woman. And the members of the firm should place the business above everything It is shown by this statement.
Oliver Lambert cleared his throat and decided to get personal again. "Micth our firm frowns on drinking and chasing women. We're not a bunch of Holly Rollers, but we put business ahead of everything. We keep low profiles and we work very hard. And we make plenty of money."
"I can live with all that." (TF, p.7).
This firm also behold the opinion that lawyers with a stable background, happy family and in good health will result productive lawyers. And productive lawyers will increase the firm’s profit.
"Good. You'll find a wide variety in our firm. Catholics, Baptist,Episcopalians. It's really none of our business, but we, like to know. We want stable family. Happy lawyers are productive lawyers, That's why we ask these question" (TF, p. 8).
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health and loyalty. This statement is make sense and it might be widely admitted, since it is impossible for some individuals to work well if they feel depress and uncomfortable.
Besides, the firm also offered vacation to their member. It states that, although they worked hard, they appreciate the need of leisure (TF, p:186). Once again the firm’s policy emphazises that success will not come to people who are not happy with his life.
In order to be the members of the law firm, a newly graduated lawyer should follow the bar exam. To achieve his goal as a partner, of course Mitch should follow this bar exam. Mitch is demanded to succeed in the bar exam. The important of bar exam can be seen in the statement below.
"The bar exam was a nuisance, an ordeal that must be endured, a rite of passage, and nothing any Harvard man should fear. Just concentrate on the review of course, he said, and try to remember everything he had just learned in law school.(TF, p.61).
The firm considers the bar exam as an primary requirement and a must, if someone wants to be the member. So important the bar exam, that a lawyer is no use if he cannot pass the test.
Don't get smart. You've told that bar exam has priority. An employee with no license is of no use to this firm. (TF, p.110).
"This could be worse than the law school!"
"It's much more important than the law school. We take it very seriously. We have a committee to monitor your progress from now until you sit for the exam. We'll be watching very closely."(TF,p.79).
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state in which they want to practice (US Information Agency, 1986:53). It is captured by John Grisham as seen in this statement.
McKnight quit smiling and returned to the legal pad. "As I've told you, Mitch, the bar exam has priority. You've got six weeks to study for it and we assist in every way possible. We have our own review courses directed by our members. All areas of the exam will be covered and your progress will be watched closely by all of us, especially Avery. .. .No associate in this firm has ever failed the exam."
"I won't be the first."
"If you flunk it, we take away the BMW," Tolar said with a slight grin. (TF, p.58).
In this statement, Grisham tries to employ his knowledge about American law procedures and ethics.
Besides, in this novel, Grisham also confirms the general belief about the way a Mafia organization in covering up their illegitimate business. It has been long known that the Mafia is able to do many cruel actions in achieving their goal, for example threatening, murdering and bribing. They also have established some rigorous ethics that must be obeyed by the members of that firm.
This belief expresses in The Firm when the Deucth, a Mafia's member make a plan to kill Hogde and Konzinki who has delivered some important information to FBI.
"We'll, get them back in line, then, before this things goes to far. New York's getting suspicious, Ollie. They're asking a lot of question." "...What do they want?"
"Answers. And plans." "Plans for what?"
"Preliminiary plans to eliminate Kozinski, Hodge and Tarrance, should it become necessary" (TF, p:44).
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the secret, then he should quit the job. The firm do not want any of the members ever discuss the client’s business with anyone, and that included tho other lawyer in that firm, even the wives. They very quite and secretive, and they do not mention even so much as a client’s name outside the buliding (TF, p:87).
It is widely recognized by the lawyers that there exists a confendential relationship between a lawyer and his client. It is priviledged relationship and a lawyer can never be forced to divulge anything a clients tells. It’s strictly confedential. And it is a violation of the ethics if lawyers discuss their client business, but the firm take it very seriously. They really maintain their secret business.The firm do not want their lawyers talk about the business even with the wife.(TF, p:87).
Since, the firm is owned by Mafia, they demanded an extreme loyalty. They does not want anyone with family money. They will not hire lawyers with other source of income. It means that if the money comes from one source, then they tend to be very loyal to that source (TF, p:31). And to keep their lawyer doing the best job, the firm states a policy that they will satisfy their lawyers loan in school. This policy is made to avoid the lawyers mind the other problems above the business. As seen in this statement.
… “We’ve never allowed an associate to begin his career burdened with student loan. We prefer that you find other things to worry about, and otherwise to spend your money..”
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“You, uh mean the firm satisfies the loans?’ “that our policy. Unless you object.”
“No objection. I don’t quite know what to say.”
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In other part, The Firm gives a description how success is viewed by the FBI agents. It is described that the FBI agents have taken long times to indict the Bendini and Lambert law firm. It costs not only human life but also billion of dollars. In the United States war against organized crime (Mafia) has been started since 1960s. A lot of money and never ending hard work has been spend on this war. The organized crime is defined as “a society that seeks to operate outside the control of the American people and their working government. They operate in a complex organizational structure, and they have rules that are more rigid and more strictly enforced than those of legitimate government. And their ultimate goals are money and power (Reid, 2000:281).
In this novel Grisham exposes that it take years for the FBI to have sufficience evidence for indicting the firm. It can be said success if they can bust the firm and indict every significant member of the Morolto family. And the most important is that they can destroy the Morolto family, and it would be the single most devastating blow to organized crime in the past thirty years. To achieve those goals many of the FBI informen and agents had become the victims, even the member of the firm itself, Kozinski and Hodge. These two people (Hodge and Kozinski) realized that there is something wrong with the firm, and began to contact Tarrance, the FBI agent. Unfortunately their movements had been noticed, that finally they were eliminated. And to have more information they need, Tarrance started to approach Mitchell McDeere and do the bargaining.
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“How do you this?”
Tarrance smiled, “Because we spend billions of dollars fighting organized crime. Because we’ve tracked the Morolto’s for twenty years. Because we have sources within the family. Because Hodhe and Konzinski were talking when they were murdered. Don’t sell us short, Mitch” (TF, p;279).
To get complete information from Bendini and Lambert law firm, the FBI should spend a lot of money for Mitchell McDeere. From the first place, Mitch had been informed that once he decided to hand the information to FBI, he should be ready to give up his career as lawyer. Therefore, Mitch proposed three million dollar to FBI for the information he gave.
“Your offer is to low. You expect me to make a case that will hand you hundred indicments against a group of the sleaziest criminals in America, a case that could easily cost me my life. And you offer a pittance. Three
“I doubt it. I’ll have to talk to the Director.” (TF, p:283). …
“Three million, Tarrance. Not a peny less. If you guys can spend billions fighting organized crime, surely you can find three million for me” (TF, p:285)
And the hard work once again lead to success. Using the information given by Mitchell McDeere, the FBI can do the indicment to the Bendini and Lambert law firm. It can be seen from this statement.
The headlines told of the mass indicting of the Bendini law firm in Memphis. Fifty-one present and former members of the firm were indicted, along with thirty-one alleged members of the Morolto crime family in Chicago. More indicments were coming, promised the U.S. Attorney. Just the tip of the iceberg. Director F. Denton Voyles allowed himself to be quoted as saying it was a major blow to organized crime in America. In should be a dire warning, he said, to legitimate proffesionals and businessman who are tempted to handle dirty money (TF, p:499).
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Through this statement, Grisham tries to express that success of FBI in indicting the Bendini law firm required a lot of hard work too. The dream of success in fighting the organized crime has make the FBI never thinking about how much money they spent and how many pleasure that they should sacrifce. Dream of success make them keep on struggling and doing their best efforts to win the battle. Strong commitment to success very inspires people to survive in such hard competition.
3. Conclusion and Suggestion 3.1. Conclusion
Myth of success is seen differently by American people. The meaning of success is very personal in nature. However, in general, success is always connoted with material objects such as : finest clothes, job, housing or automobile. And the myth of success has encouraged many of American people to work hard and realize their dreams. John Grisham through his novel The Firm reflected this phenomenon. That is the phenomena about how success were viewed and applied by some of American modern people, in this case, lawyers and the FBI agents. With his background as a lawyer for several years, Grisham able to tell in detail what is the meaning of success for lawyer and how they reach that success.
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working overtime, losing their intimate moment with families and giving up their noble idealism. The point is that become a lawyer one need preparing to sell their time and labor. To the law enforcement agents (FBI) success means they get sufficient evidence to indict the crime. And this success has cost not only human life but also billion of dollars. It showed that success is far more valuable than the fulfillment of material object. For the FBI agents their works are considered success if they can enforce the law and maintain the peacefullness in society. While to the law firm owned by Mafia, it was described in other part of this novel, that success means covering up their illegitimate business and resulting much more profit. They even did not take into account anothers’ interest and right in achieving their dream.
The Firm, as a product of popular culture, for certain cannot be used to describe the real condition of American society in that time. However, it can give a suggestion about the myth of success viewed by the American modern society. The Firm pointed out that American people have their own opinion toward success and applied different ways to achieve it. Those differences were determined by some factors such as, the workplace environment, the social condition or the given cultural values and beliefs. Therefore, it can be concluded that American myth of success will everlastingly change and develop in accordance with the changing of society values, beliefs and experience. However, the myth of success will always be the essential spirit for the American people to achieve their biggest dreams.
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The writer realizes that this thesis is still far from perfection but hopefully it can give a better understanding to other students who want to study about American popular culture, particularly the popular litature.
American popular culture has played an important role in the development of American contemporary culture and society. Polular literature genres as, detective and mystery novel, romances, science fiction and so forth offer varies topic discussion. The theories and approaches, that can be applied though, are not limited to sociology and cultural anthropolgy approaches. Psychology, history, linguistics and many more might be beneficial to obtain complete comprehension about American popular literature. The study on this field for sure will enlarge the student’s understanding about the American modern society, and their way of life. For further researchers who want study the same topic, it will be more helpful if they own much more important information and reference.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fishwick, Marshal. Parameter of Popular Culture. Ohio: The Browling Green University Popular Press, 1974.
Inge, M. Thomas. Concise Histories of American Popular Culture. Westport Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1982.
Grisham, John. The Firm. New York: Dell Publishing, 1991.
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Harris, Marvin. Cultural Anthropology. (3rd edition). New York: HarperCollins Publisher Inc, 1991.
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The Modern Era and the Postmodern. New York: Routledge, 1995.
Nye, Russel (ed). New Dimension in Popular Culture. Ohio: Browling Green University Popular Press, 1972.
Pellegrini, Angelo. An Imigrant's Quest. American Dream. San Fransisco: North Point Press, 1972.
Paludan, Philips S. (ed). Issues Past and Present. An American History Source Book. Toronto: DC. Heath Company, 1978.
Pawelek, Richard. The Law and Judiciary. New York: United States Information Agency, 1986
Robertson, James Oliver. American Myth. American Reality. New York: Hill and Wang, 1980.
Singh, Amritjit and Skidmore, Max. J. (ed). American Studies Today. An Introduction to Method and Perspective. New Delhi: Creative Books, 1995. Spiller, Robert Ernest. Late Harvest. Essays and Addresses in American Literature
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Susman, Warren I. Culture as History. The Transformation of American Society in the Twentieth Century. New York: Pantheon Books, 1984.
Storey, John. Cultural Studies and The Study of Popular Culture. Theories and Method. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Ltd, 1996.
