Final answer:
Among the characters listed, Lennie Skutnik is the figure who is recognized for taking heroic action that advances the narrative, thus making him the character that could be considered a protagonist.
Therefore, the correct answer is: option "Lennie Skutnik (The Man in the Water)"
Step-by-step explanation:
The character who would be a protagonist can often be identified as the individual who carries the story forward and undergoes the most significant change to resolve the main conflict or overcome the central obstacle of the narrative.
While the character with the most lines might sometimes be the protagonist, this is not a definitive measure. Considering the characters listed and applying this understanding, Lennie Skutnik, the real-life hero referenced in the essay 'The Man in the Water' is known for his heroic actions, making him a figure who could be seen as a protagonist due to his central role in the dramatic real-life event captured in the essay.
Fortunato from Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado' would not be considered the protagonist since he is actually the victim of the antagonist's plot. Mrs. Donovan in 'Rags to Riches Roy' and Captain Torres in 'Nothing but Lather' are also not the central characters who drive the story forward towards resolving a core conflict, though they might play significant roles within their respective stories.