The Rainmaker

Rudy is the archetypical low-mimetic hero. The story is told from his perspective and all events in the story revolve around him. All characters exist to either aid or thwart the hero (Rudy) in his quest in defeating his archenemies (Great Benefit/Leo Drummond), or as a means for him to highlight and demonstrate his characteristics and talents. His faults, which are plenty, are made into strengths and show him to be one of the common people, rather than one of the elite, like Keeley or Drummond or Judge Hale. Though he is oftentimes motivated by money and fortune, he realizes quickly that defending the Blacks against the greed and tyranny of Great Benefit is more virtuous and important than any recompense he might gain therefrom. This makes Rudy the champion of the little man: he cares for and befriends Miss Birdie, he fights for the Blacks, and he defends the damsel-in-distress, Kelly, from her drunken, brutish husband, Cliff. Rudy’s tragedy lies in the fact that after defeating Great Benefit he ultimately loses to the power and might of an even larger foe, PinnConn, and his reward is taken away from him.