The paper discusses Saul Bellow’s Henderson the Pain King in the way of the presentation of Naturalist heroes of several Naturalistic novels. Furthermore it develops and enlarges his conception towards transcedence of the environmental and limitations imposed by one's own nature leading towards affirmation of his humanity and final maturation. A large section of the paper has been devoted to demonstrate with somewhat limited references to Henderson, of the presence of some basic characteristics attributed to Naturalist hero in general. Parallels have been drawn to Zola's Germinal, and Nana, and some of Dreiser’s novels to provide a heroine and a hero seeking transcendence. Finally the discussion leads towards Henderson’s perception in leading his way out of the ideational deadend towards affirmation of his humanity and final maturation.
