Rudy Compare And Contrast

In both the book of Genesis and the movie Rudy, underlying themes contribute to the development of the plot development. Most notably, the theme of struggle is an obvious element present in both works. The following essay will serve to compare and contrast this theme as it relates to both works.
In the family of Rudy Ruettiger, Rudy is the youngest of a large family. He has older brothers who are bigger, stronger and more athletic than he is. In the opening scenes of the movie, the brothers are playing football and Rudy is playing the position of all-time center. Because he is so small, his brothers tell him to play this position so that he can be more or less “out of the way” while the game is played. Rudy tries to persuade his brothers to let him play wide receiver, but they refuse. The movie progresses, and it is clear that Rudy has his heart set on playing football for the Fightin’ Irish of the University of Notre Dame. His family, who are all employed with the family-owned steel mill, are doubtful that he will succeed but support him nonetheless. After two long years of rigorous study at Holy Cross College, Rudy is finally accepted into the University. He spends the next year on the practice squad of the football team, never getting the opportunity to dress for a game. When the final game

of his senior season comes around and he is not scheduled to dress, his teammates refuse to dress unless Rudy dresses, and the coach concedes. Rudy goes in for the last few plays of the game, and records a quarterback sack.
In the story of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, a similar struggle can be observed.

Under the rule of the Egyptians and forced into slavery, the Israelites were forced deal with adverse conditions that impeded them from achieving their hope of one day making it to the Promised Land. Their patience was tested, as Rudy’s was. They, like Rudy, also felt like quitting their journey because of their lack of progress. But, with Moses’ guidance (and in the case of Rudy, the guidance of a befriended janitor), both parties make it to their respective promised lands. Relentless perseverance and trust are what preserved both the Israelites and Rudy through their

struggles.
A difference in the two stories, however, is the fact that Israel has received a promise from God that they will reach the Promised Land while Rudy has not received indication that he will succeed. Rudy has no promise that he will be triumphant in his endeavor: he is running on pure luck and determination. For the Israelites, God has promised them that they will arrive in the Promised Land, so they must exercise patience. One might argue that Israel’s journey might have been easier than Rudy’s since the Israelites knew that the eventual result of their journey would be the Promised Land. But, in contrast, some might defend Rudy’s journey was easier, in that he had nothing to lose in traveling toward his Promised Land. In both cases, however, it is clear that many great obstacles were overcome.
From comparing these two seemingly independent stories, we can discover that every story can find a root in the book of Genesis. We can see that people thousands of years ago experienced the same things we experience today: success, failure, embarrassment, obstacles, struggle… the list is endless. What is important today, then, is to learn from all of our past experiences (both personal and historical) so that we can better both ourselves and society in the future.