Rays The Thematic Paradigm, classical Hollywood develops character(s that) magically embody diametrically opposite traits (299). This method is used to appeal to a collective American imagination steeped in myths of inclusiveness (299). In other words, characters that portray a wide variety of traits, in many cases opposite traits, appeal to the American audience by embodying a portion of each viewer in the character. This method is clearly portrayed through the characters in the movie, The Big Lebowski.The Big Lebowski, is about The Dude (Jeff Bridges), a down-and-out, unemployed drifter who is still living in the haze of the '60s. Most of his time is spent moping around his apartment, doing nothing and puffing on joints. On rare occasions, he makes his way over to the bowling alley for a league game with his two best friends: Walter (John Goodman), a veteran who still suffers from post-traumatic stress from his days in Vietnam, and Donny (Steve Buscemi), a moron. Most of the time, however, The Dude is content to stay at home, which is why he's known as "the laziest man in Los Angeles County." That is, until a group of crooks confuse him with The Big Lebowski, one of the city's richest businessmen. The Dude finds out that the crooks are looking for Bunny Lebowski, The Big Lebowski's wife, who owes a great deal of money to porn producer Jackie Treehorn. Treehorn's men mistake The Dude for the The Big Lebowski and it takes them a while to realize their error. After the crooks soil The Dudes carpet, The Dude arranges a meeting with the Big Lebowski. However, rather than going home with a new carpet, The Dude finds himself employed as the courier handling the ransom for the Big Lebowskis kidnapped wife. However, Walter thinks The Dude should keep the money. In a twist, Maude Lebowski, The Big Lebowski's daughter, wants the money returned to her family. In the meantime the Dudes car is stolen with the one million dollars in the back sea...
