Marxism Analysis of Social Stratification in John Grisham's The Whistler

This study aims to investigate social stratification in The Whistler novel. In addition, this study describes what social stratification are depicted in the novel, and to show the social
problems caused by social stratification in this novel. The data of this study were character’s
utterances and author’s narrations that describe social stratification.
The writer used descriptive qualitative method in this study. The writer is the key instrument. She collected the data through close reading and coding system. In analyzing the data, the writer uses theory of Marxist, particularly the social stratification.
The results of this study showed social stratification seen from occupation, property, and
authority. Social stratification which is depicted in this novel through occupation, authority and
property divided into five classes, such as, Upper class, corporation class, Middle class, Working
class, and Lower class. So, there was often social gap between every class. Those class
differentiations create social problem in society. The social problems occur because it’s an unfair
system with a monopoly of power and wealth in certain groups. Social problem caused by social
stratification are as intimidation, corruption, extortion and bribery and the misuse of the position of the government and the bureaucracy, It occurs because ofthe dominant power of the upper
class. They feel better than the class below.

Keyword: The Whistler, Marxism, Social Stratification