My Final Paper

Jenna Theisen

Dr. Michael Sexson

9 December 2010

Mythologies

Loyalty of a True Friend

While reading Henderson the Rain King, I found the main character to be very self-centered, spoiled, dishonest, and all together rude. I think the majority of the people in the class related to Henderson toward the end of the book when he makes up for all of his mistakes. I, on the other hand, believe the most deserving character who did not get enough attention in the book is Romilayu, an African guide and interpreter of Henderson’s.

In the story Henderson wants to go to Africa on this big adventure and eventually runs into an African interpreter named Romilayu. He would guide Mr. Henderson on his journey across Africa and in return would get the jeep Henderson promised him.

I really admired Romilayu’s character. He is in his mid thirties and is obviously a very hard worker. The thing I admired most about him is his loyalty. Not only is he loyal to Henderson, but he is also extremely loyal to his religion. “He said his prayers every evening. He fetched up deep sounds from his chest, like confiding groans of his soul” (45-46). Even when Romilayu is in the worst of times and confronted with challenging obstacles, he never turns away from his religion.

Even when Henderson screws up the most with the frogs, it is Romilayu who is there to encourage him to be a better man. Everyone else is so disappointed in him, but not Romilayu. He minds his own business and does not point fingers at anyone.

Henderson does not think of Romilayu’s feelings when confronted with certain obstacles. When they stay in the hut and have to make a fire to stay warm, Henderson tells Romilayu, “Rustle up some kindling, I tell you, and make it snappy” (133). There is no respect in that tone. He does not treat Romilayu very well and Romilayu does not say or do anything negative to Henderson in return. Even when they find the dead body in the hut, Henderson does not treat him very well. He says, “I directed Romilayu to turn him over. He wouldn’t; he wasn’t able to obey….” (135). The word ‘obey’ makes it seem Romilayu is a slave to Henderson. That word alone shows disrespect towards Romilayu. Again this happens when Henderson freaks out and wants Romilayu to go and wake someone. He is confused and questions Henderson and all Henderson says is, “‘Do what I tell you’, I yelled….” (136). Romilayu is confused and is afraid of Henderson. All he wanted to do was please the man and Henderson wasn’t even kind enough to give him accurate instructions.

When Henderson finally gets to meet King Dahfu, he completely forgets about his buddy Romilayu. We see this in the first encounter with the king. Henderson momentarily forgets about Romilayu and then questions where he is. “I wanted him by my side. He was allowed to walk behind me in the procession, carrying all the gear. Tried in strength and patience, he bent under his double burden; it was out of the question for me to carry anything” (149). It was out of the question for him to carry anything because he was the guest of the king. I thought this scene right here was the most important scene in the book. Romilayu has been so faithful to Henderson, yet he lets him take most of the burden when he meets the king. Henderson shows his self-centeredness when not helping Romilayu. He acts as though he is better than the people under him, including a loyal friend.

There are very few scenes after this where Romilayu is mentioned. In fact the only time Henderson mentions Romilayu is when he is having difficulties with the king. And even then, the scenes are of Romilayu faithfully praying for the both of them.
We later learn that Romilayu has a family. He has a wife and six children. Yet, he is still out in the middle of Africa helping a man who in most cases does not deserve the loyalty of such a kind-hearted man like Romilayu. Then Henderson asks Romilayu to take a letter to send to his wife and gives him the papers to the jeep, but Romilayu is not happy. He knows that his dear friend is sad and that hurts him. He is so loyal that he does not want to leave the man in his darkest hour.

Finally, when Henderson is in real danger, it is Romilayu who gets him out. He does not turn his back on Henderson when all Henderson is worried about is the dead king. He helps him to escape from yet another darkness Henderson gets himself into.

Henderson does finally see the love Romilayu has for the man in the end and comes to appreciate Romilayu for all of his hard work and loyalty. He rewards him by buying more gifts and putting them in his new acquired jeep. While parting, Romilayu is so sad to see his friend go. After all Henderson has done, Romilayu is still so loyal and worried about him. With tears they finally go their separate ways. It is not until Henderson is truly alone for the first time does he appreciate all Romilayu has done for him.

People focus their attention on Henderson. He has gone through a lot of things in his voyage of finding his inner self and overcoming his problems. He has treated people with disrespect throughout the entire book. It is Romilayu who has always been there for him. Even when the king was gone, Romilayu was there to help him back up. Even when Henderson killed the frogs and destroyed the Arnewi’s culture, it was Romilayu who was there to help him move on and did not blame him. In my personal opinion, Romilayu is the hero hidden in the shadows of darkness. Without his loyal friend, Henderson would not have gone through the experiences he did to become a better man.