I think Michael will
stay at the 14th street clinic, and not return to his old practice
because what he does at the clinic is fulfilling. By losing his license for
nine months gives him something in common with the people he helps. Many of the
homeless people were victims of circumstance. As far as Ruby goes Michael helped
her. Ruby was a person that was lost. In her struggle with her drug addiction
her, to make things worse her only child did not want to speak to her. With help
of Mordecai’s secretary Michael finds her a placement in a
women’s shelter for women with addiction problems. I believe this will help Michael
in his relationships because before his life was all about work and less time
spent with his wife. Michael was also selfish, and had no relation or reaction
with the ones he help at the firm. Working for the homeless has helped Michael see
people differently in ways he never had. Before working with the homeless people
he never gave them a second look, never cared to understand their problems. Michael
realized that his firm was the cause for some of these people hardships. This type
of work, working as a street lawyer is more fulfilling to Michael.
One of themes of this novel is how people become homeless. People never
grow up and say they’ll be homeless. Homelessness is a problem in ever part of
the world, and always will be. People tend to think and worry about them self. Most
people are too busy to worry about their neighbors. Often time we only join a cause
when we are directly affected. For example most people aren’t aware of autism
unless they know someone who has this disorder. The awareness causes people to
act. I believe we try to help the homeless population through programs such as welfare,
shelters, and food pantries. Many homeless people lack in education for
programs such as the ones previously mentioned, but a lack in education to put
them self’s in the homeless situation from the beginning. I strongly believe
things happen that may cause near homelessness, but if education is reached
from the beginning there are ways of avoiding total homelessness.
