The Rain Maker
By: John Grisham
Blog By: Corey Trinetti
Plot Summary:
The Rainmaker by John Grisham tells the story of Rudy Baylor, a recent graduate from Memphis State Law School. Rudy’s story begins with him working in a local bar serving his former classmates drinks. These people didn’t have to work at the bar like Rudy, they were ‘the privileged ones’ the ones with connections and job opportunities to the most well-known and respected firms in the country. Rudy would have to hunt for and earn his place in the lawyer-infested town of Memphis, Tennessee. But things seemed to take a turn for the better when Rudy was approached with an opportunity, an opportunity that would soon have Rudy’s life turned upside down. Rudy was brought to the office of a man named J. Lyman Stone or "Bruiser". He was offered an interesting proposition, no salary, but 1/3 commission on any monies brought into the firm. Desperate as he was, Rudy accepted the position and began work immediately. At the firm, Rudy met a man by the name of Dick Shifflet, a highly unethical and unlicensed lawyer, having failed the bar exam six times. Rudy is introduced by Dick into the world of “ambulance chasing”, a form of soliciting their law services to people immediately after they have been injured. With Rudy’s employer about to be raided by the FBI, Rudy and Dick decide to set up their own firm. Their first case, and the most important one in the novel, is an insurance claim representing the family of Dot and Buddy Black, and their son, Donny Ray. Rudy is very passionate about doing what is right in this case and bringing justice to Great Benefit, an insurance company that has ignored the suffering of Donny Ray who is dying of leukemia. Rudy knows that Great Benefit will put up an enormous fight, with their endless supply of experienced lawyers, in order to keep from losing millions of dollars in damages. Before trial commences, the Black’s son Donny Ray dies, devastating his entire family, including Rudy. The case goes to trial and Rudy is faced with a variety of obstacles. Rudy is not able to win over the jury until he discovers a scheme that Great Benefit ran to deny every insurance claim submitted, regardless of its validity. Great Benefit is exposed and the verdict goes in favor of Rudy and the Blacks. Unfortunately, Great Benefit declares bankruptcy and no damages are ever paid. Affected by these events, Rudy vows to leave his life as a lawyer and the city of Memphis entirely.
Comments on Author's Use of Certain Elements:
Grisham’s character development in this novel is done exquisitely. Each character is crafted in a way that fits typical stereotypes, yet these characters still have an original flare to them. In particular, I was impressed with Rudy Baylor’s character development. Rudy is a smart, but financially troubled young man who is looking to strike it big in the field of law. This is a classic David vs. Goliath story. Rudy is thrust into a high profile case in which he is in way over his head and has to outsmart veteran lawyers. Eventually Rudy (the David in this story) defeats the Great Benefit lawyers (Goliath) to everyone’s amazement and joy. The dialogue in this novel is also stellar; Grisham seems to have a thorough understanding of court room terminology and the laws that go with the court system. He seems to know how the court is supposed to function; for example, Rudy is corrected by the judge several times throughout the novel about not abiding to proper court room conduct.
Quote Several Sentences That Appeal:
“The initial claim from Mrs. Black was assigned to me. Pursuant to company policy at the time, I sent her a letter of denial.” – Jackie Lemancyzk
“Why?” – Rudy Baylor
“Because all claims were initially denied.” – Jackie Lemancyzk
“All claims?” – Rudy Baylor
“All claims.” – Jackie Lemancyzk
This dialogue between Rudy Baylor and Jackie Lemancyzk appealed to me because it was the first time that the scheme behind Great Benefit was uncovered. The scheme was to deny every insurance claim submitted, regardless of its validity. This showed Great Benefit’s horribly unethical scheme, to test the will of its customers and see if they were persistent enough to make the same claim over and over again for insurance coverage.
“Every lawyer, at least once in every case, feels himself crossing a line he doesn’t really mean to cross. It just happens. And if you cross it enough times, it disappears forever. And then you’re nothing but another lawyer joke, just another shark in the dirty water.”
This quote appeals to me because it is at the end of the novel and sums up one of the major lessons of the book. The lesson is that sometimes we are forced to do bad things we aren’t supposed to do, and that is alright. But if we repeatedly abuse and do things we aren’t supposed to, we have become unethical. And, if we have become unethical, then we are no longer ourselves anymore, we have become another ruthless lawyer, businessman or whatever we may be.
“How do you know when a lawyer is lying? His lips are moving.”
This quote appeals to me because it is a little bit of humor in a rather serious book. Although this quote is funny, it pertains to the novel and is a very simple explanation about how a lawyer will try to manipulate and mess around with you. Basically, in this book, you cannot trust anyone and, in order to keep your guard up, you must always consider the fact that they might be lying.
