2. Summary What is a “hero’s journey” and how does it pertain to the main character? Henderson’s evolution of his character throughout the book Examples of similar characters found in the novel with popular movie, television, and other fictional stories.
3. The Hero’s Journey A Hero’s Journey (or monomyth) is a basic pattern found in many narratives from around the world. The series of patterns are Departure, Initiation, and Return. Each pattern contains steps that evolve the character throughout the story. Not every story follows all or the same steps but the series of events are always the same.
4. Departure The call to adventure is the point in a hero’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not. In “Henderson the Rain King”, Henderson’s call was when his housekeeper died, and he realizes that if he dies “there will be nothing left but junk, because nothing will have been and so nothing will be left. While something still is- now! For the sake of all, get out”. Following this, he makes the decision to go to Africa. This is when he decides to “answer the call”. Another important step is finding a supernatural aid/ mentor. This is often someone older, and more experienced than the hero. Who guides the hero through their quest. They often train and prepare the hero before sending them out to finish what they set out to do. Henderson’s mentors were Willatale and Mtalba.
