Quest For Harmony In Henderson The Rain King

The protagonist Eugene Henderson in Saul Bellow’s Henderson the Rain King leaves America for Africa to quest for harmony.The thesis mainly argues that in his journey to quest for harmonious life,Henderson has finally transformed from a self-centered individual into a relational self who cares about female,nature and community.The thesis is consisted by three parts,including introduction,main body and conclusion in the thesis.The introduction provides some information about Saul Bellow,Henderson the Rain King,a comprehensive literature review,the theory of Ecofeminism,and the thesis statement.The main body falls into the following three sections:Chapter one elaborates on Henderson’s move to appreciate females.In America,Henderson conceives himself as the center of desire,oppressing his wives to be used as he sees fit through instrumentalism and backgrounding,which leads to wars between them.Coming to African tribes,women here then updates Henderson’s view on females.Finally,Henderson recognizes his wife Lily’s importance and his responsibility as her husband.Chapter two focuses on Henderson’s shift to integrate into nature.In America,nature as the inferior becomes the instrument of human beings to make money.Human,like Henderson,is gradually away from nature.They are in a state of a “lazy pig” without any vitality.Then Henderson leaves for Africa where Henderson integrates into nature through a “lion therapy” and re-establishes his connection with nature.Finally,he gains his renascence with vitality.Chapter three mainly probes into Henderson’s transform to connect with community.Initially,Henderson performs as an isolated desire center with an inner cry of “I want” and the outside world only exists in the form of being conquered.So it is hard for him to get along with surrounding people in the community.In Africa,Henderson realizes the significance of community environment.Hence,his self-centered cry of “I want” transforms to be a warm song of “they want” which connects his needs with others.Meanwhile,Henderson has built up a bridge of love to remove his individualism in life.Therefore,it is concluded that in the process of searching for harmonious relations,the definition of a person is no longer dualistic,but an inclusive,relational and interdependent self.Human beings,especially the white males like Henderson,need to overcome the traditional patriarchal conceptual frameworks,and shift from self-focus to the cares of female,nature and community,so that a new harmonious life is possible.