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Analyzes Henderson the Rain King in terms of anthropology, examining the relation between ritual and order in African societies and in twentieth century America. Includes a discussion of...
ANALYSIS . Henderson the Rain King (1959) Saul Bellow (1915-2005) “Gene Henderson, an intense, vital millionaire, leaves his Connecticut home for Africa in quest of wisdom, and to satisfy his inner voice’s cry, ‘I want, I want.’ With Romilayu, a loyal guide, he visits the Arnewi, a humane, cattle-loving people suffering from drought.
- The Search For Meaning
- Death
- Family
- Nature
Perhaps the most important theme in Henderson the Rain Kingis thesearch for meaning. At the beginning of the novel, fifty-five-year-oldprotagonist Eugene Henderson suffers a midlife crisis after the unexpecteddeath of Mrs. Lenox, a woman in his employ. This prompts some long overduesoul-searching in the hot-tempered Henderson, who travels to Africa...
Henderson's search for meaning is inspired by a death early in the novel:that of Mrs. Lenox, the woman who cooks breakfast for Henderson and his familyevery morning. Mrs. Lenox suffers a heart attack in the middle of an argumentbetween Henderson and his wife, Lily. Assuming that his shouts caused Mrs.Lenox's heart attack, Henderson flees to Africa,...
Most of the characters in Henderson the Rain Kingdescend from justthree different families. First, there is Eugene Henderson himself, afifty-five-year-old millionaire who has been married twice and has fivechildren. Then there is Dahfu, the king of the Wariri tribe, with hissixty-seven wives and his small army of children. And then there are Willat...
Henderson's transformation is facilitated by his experiences with nature. In Africa, his relationship with the natural world is forever changed when he becomes the rain...
Dec 6, 2012 · Bellow leaves the answer unclear; the novel’s denouement returns Henderson to civilization, having seen both the good and the evil sides of the lion’s power and example. But there is no better description of what Henderson the Rain King , like all of Saul Bellow’s best work, does supremely well.
This Study Guide consists of approximately 63 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Henderson the Rain King.
Get ready to explore Henderson the Rain King and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.
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Complete summary of Saul Bellow's Henderson the Rain King. eNotes plot summaries cover all the significant action of Henderson the Rain King.
