Transformation through despair

In Part V of the book, Leo, as President of the League, addresses the officials of the High Court in reference to H.H and says, "Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side" (p. 106). He is speaking about the depths to which H.H. had sunk during his years away from the League, during which time he had even contemplated suicide. This descent into despair has been part of the test that H.H. has been put through so that he would be ready to awaken to his actual role within the League, which is to serve it and be forgotten.

H.H. describes himself and the other new members of the League as being somewhat childlike when they are first initiated. They are required to take for themselves a personal goal, which for H.H. is a childhood dream...