Erewhon: Character
20 lenses on character for Erewhon by Samuel Butler. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17 B18 B19 B20
B1. Cast list with first appearance and share of mentions. Count
Lead The Narrator; 13 main characters. See the full lens on the book page.
B2. Who is on the page in each chapter (presence heat map)? Count
Lead The Narrator; 13 main characters. See the full lens on the book page.
B3. What does the lead want, and what do they truly need? AI
To find new pastoral land beyond the mountains and gain wealth and status.. See the full lens on the book page.
B4. What false belief does the lead hold, and how is it tested? AI
The narrator believes Erewhon is a superior civilisation worth studying and that he can profit from it without moral cost. This is tested when he learns the system criminalises illness (Ch 8), witnesses cruel trials (Ch 11), and falls in love with Arowhena (Ch 16). By Chapter 29, he abandons this belief and schemes to exploit Erewhon for profit.
Chapters: Ch 8, Ch 11, Ch 16, Ch 29
illness of any sort was considered in Erewhon to be highly criminal and immoral (Ch 8, para 9)
You are a bad and dangerous person, and stand branded in the eyes of your fellow-countrymen with one of the most heinous known offences. (Ch 11, para 12)
You may say that it is your misfortune to be criminal; I answer that it is your crime to be unfortunate. (Ch 11, para 16)
B5. Arc type: positive, flat or negative? AI
The arc is negative. The narrator begins seeking wealth and status, gains knowledge and love, but ends by returning to England with a scheme to exploit Erewhon for profit. He has not grown morally; he has merely shifted his deception.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 29
when I left home it was with the intention of going to some new colony, and either finding, or even perhaps purchasing, waste crown land suitable for cattle or sheep farming (Ch 1, para 1)
I was determined that no one should hear of Erewhon, or have the chance of getting there before me, as long as I could prevent it. (Ch 29, para 5)
B6. Key arc moments with chapter and line. AI
Chapter 1: narrator resolves to cross mountains (inciting incident). Chapter 4: narrator crosses saddle alone (first turning point). Chapter 8: narrator learns illness is criminalised (moral crisis). Chapter 16: narrator falls in love with Arowhena (midpoint). Chapter 21: narrator's health declines and escape plan forms (low point). Chapter 28: narrator and Arowhena launch balloon (climax). Chapter 29: narrator devises exploitation scheme (resolution).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 4, Ch 8, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 28
I could not help speculating upon what might lie farther up the river and behind the second range (Ch 1, para 12)
These thoughts filled my head, and I could not banish them (Ch 1, para 13)
illness of any sort was considered in Erewhon to be highly criminal and immoral (Ch 8, para 9)
B7. The antagonist: goal, methods, and when they show their hand. AI
The Queen. See the full lens on the book page.
B8. How is each main character first shown (first line, first act)? Both
Narrator: first line describes leaving England for a colony. Arowhena: first appears in Ch 9 as one of Nosnibor's daughters. Chowbok: first appears in Ch 2 performing a terrifying mime. Mr. Nosnibor: first appears in Ch 9 as the embezzler who hosts the narrator. Yram: first appears in Ch 8 as the jailor's daughter. The Queen: first appears in Ch 16 as a figure of authority.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 16
when I left home it was with the intention of going to some new colony, and either finding, or even perhaps purchasing, waste crown land suitable for cattle or sheep farming (Ch 1, para 1)
his whole form was changed. His high shoulders dropped; he set his feet close together, heel to heel and toe to toe (Ch 2, para 4)
the grotesque fiendishness of Chowbok’s face approached this last, if it did not reach it (Ch 2, para 5)
B9. Who appears with whom? Network chart of shared scenes. Count
Pairs who share the most paragraphs. Counted where both names appear in one paragraph.
| Pair | Paragraphs together |
|---|---|
| Arowhena and Mr. Nosnibor | 7 |
| Mr. Nosnibor and Mrs. Nosnibor | 6 |
| Mr. Nosnibor and Zulora | 5 |
| The King and The Queen | 4 |
| Arowhena and Mrs. Nosnibor | 4 |
| Arowhena and The Queen | 4 |
| Mrs. Nosnibor and Zulora | 4 |
| Arowhena and Zulora | 4 |
| Chowbok and The Queen | 3 |
| The Queen and Yram | 3 |
B10. Which relationships change most over the book? AI
Arowhena changes from a distant figure to the narrator's beloved and escape partner. Yram changes from jailor's daughter to unrequited lover. Mr. Nosnibor changes from stranger to ally to obstacle. Chowbok changes from guide to antagonist to (in Ch 29) reformed missionary. The narrator changes from curious explorer to desperate lover to cynical schemer.
Chapters: Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 28, Ch 29
As I beheld her I felt as though my position was already much ameliorated, for the very sight of her carried great comfort (Ch 8, para 2)
Arowhena however was perfection. (Ch 16, para 1)
she said that she believed I loved her as much as she loved me, and that she would brave anything if I could only assure her that what I proposed would not be thought dishonourable in England (Ch 21, para 8)
B11. Foils and mirrors: who reflects the lead? AI
Chowbok is the narrator's foil: both are outsiders, but Chowbok rejects Erewhon while the narrator embraces it. Arowhena mirrors the narrator's moral confusion: she questions Erewhonian beliefs but cannot abandon them. Mr. Nosnibor mirrors the narrator's hypocrisy: both conceal their true intentions behind respectable facades.
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 9, Ch 16, Ch 29
his whole form was changed. His high shoulders dropped; he set his feet close together, heel to heel and toe to toe (Ch 2, para 4)
the grotesque fiendishness of Chowbok’s face approached this last, if it did not reach it (Ch 2, para 5)
You would consort with the basest criminals, and yet deem simple embezzlement a bar to friendly intercourse. (Ch 9, para 8)
B12. Backstory wound: how and when is it revealed? AI
The narrator's backstory wound is revealed gradually: he left England to escape his past and seek fortune (Ch 1). By Chapter 29, it is clear he has not changed; he still seeks profit and status, now through exploitation of Erewhon. The wound is his moral emptiness and capacity for deception.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 29
when I left home it was with the intention of going to some new colony, and either finding, or even perhaps purchasing, waste crown land suitable for cattle or sheep farming (Ch 1, para 1)
I have a very genuine dislike for all unhandsome dealings in money matters, though none can have a greater regard for money than I have, if it be got fairly. (Ch 9, para 1)
I was determined that no one should hear of Erewhon, or have the chance of getting there before me, as long as I could prevent it. (Ch 29, para 5)
B13. Agency: how often does the lead act rather than react? AI
The narrator acts frequently: he resolves to cross the mountains (Ch 1), crosses alone (Ch 4), accepts hospitality (Ch 9), falls in love (Ch 16), plans escape (Ch 21), launches balloon (Ch 28), and devises exploitation scheme (Ch 29). He reacts passively in Chapters 7 to 8 (imprisonment) and 10 to 20 (learning society). Agency is roughly 60% action, 40% reaction.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 4, Ch 9, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 28
I could not help speculating upon what might lie farther up the river and behind the second range (Ch 1, para 12)
These thoughts filled my head, and I could not banish them (Ch 1, para 13)
My plan was this—that Arowhena and I should escape in a balloon together. (Ch 28, para 3)
B14. Physical description: how much, when, which traits repeat. Both
Looks words (eyes, hair, face and so on) in paragraphs that name each character. A rough guide to who gets described most. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Character | Looks words nearby |
|---|---|
| Chowbok | 17 |
| Arowhena | 12 |
| Mr. Nosnibor | 10 |
| Yram | 4 |
| Zulora | 3 |
| Mrs. Nosnibor | 2 |
| The Queen | 1 |
| Ydgrun | 0 |
Physical description is sparse. Arowhena is described as 'perfection' (Ch 16). Erewhonian women are described as 'vigorous' with 'majestic gait' (Ch 7). The narrator describes himself only through action and emotion. Chowbok's face is 'grotesque' and 'fiendish' (Ch 2). The statues are described in detail as 'inhuman' with 'organ-pipe' heads (Ch 5).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 5, Ch 7, Ch 16
the grotesque fiendishness of Chowbok’s face approached this last, if it did not reach it (Ch 2, para 5)
The inhuman beings into whose hearts the Evil One had put it to conceive these statues, had made their heads into a sort of organ-pipe (Ch 5, para 22)
The women were vigorous, and had a most majestic gait, their heads being set upon their shoulders with a grace beyond all power of expression (Ch 7, para 3)
B15. Names, nicknames and titles, and how their use shifts. Count
The forms of each name used most, and how often the name comes up in each third of the book.
| Character | Most used forms | Mentions by third |
|---|---|---|
| Arowhena | Arowhena (52) | 2 / 26 / 24 |
| Chowbok | Chowbok (40), Rev. William Habakkuk (1) | 34 / 3 / 4 |
| Mr. Nosnibor | Mr. Nosnibor (24), Senoj Nosnibor (2) | 12 / 10 / 4 |
| Ydgrun | Ydgrun (17), the goddess (3) | 0 / 20 / 0 |
| The Queen | Queen Dowager (2) | 1 / 0 / 1 |
| Zulora | Zulora (17) | 0 / 16 / 1 |
| Mrs. Nosnibor | Mrs. Nosnibor (15) | 3 / 12 / 0 |
| Yram | Yram (14) | 13 / 1 / 0 |
B16. Mentors and sidekicks: their role and how they exit. AI
Yram serves as a minor mentor and love interest in prison (Ch 8), teaching the narrator language and offering comfort. She exits when the narrator leaves prison. Mr. Nosnibor serves as an ally and guide to Erewhonian society (Ch 9 to 21), but becomes an obstacle when the narrator plans escape. Arowhena serves as the B story love interest and escape partner (Ch 16 to 28).
Chapters: Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 28
As I beheld her I felt as though my position was already much ameliorated, for the very sight of her carried great comfort (Ch 8, para 2)
You would consort with the basest criminals, and yet deem simple embezzlement a bar to friendly intercourse. (Ch 9, para 8)
she said that she believed I loved her as much as she loved me, and that she would brave anything if I could only assure her that what I proposed would not be thought dishonourable in England (Ch 21, para 8)
B17. Repeated tags, gestures and tics per character. Both
Gestures that come in the same sentence as each name. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Character | Top gestures |
|---|---|
| Arowhena | groaned 1 |
| Chowbok | none |
| Mr. Nosnibor | bowed 1 |
| Ydgrun | none |
| The Queen | none |
| Zulora | none |
| Mrs. Nosnibor | none |
| Yram | none |
Chowbok's tag is his terrifying mime and refusal to speak (Ch 2). Arowhena's tag is her theological debate and moral conviction (Ch 16). Mr. Nosnibor's tag is his embezzlement and respectability (Ch 9). Yram's tag is her devotion and comfort (Ch 8). The narrator's tag is his deception and moral confusion (throughout).
Chapters: Ch 2, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 16
his whole form was changed. His high shoulders dropped; he set his feet close together, heel to heel and toe to toe (Ch 2, para 4)
the grotesque fiendishness of Chowbok’s face approached this last, if it did not reach it (Ch 2, para 5)
As I beheld her I felt as though my position was already much ameliorated, for the very sight of her carried great comfort (Ch 8, para 2)
B18. Moral choices that define the lead. AI
Chapter 9: the narrator accepts hospitality from an embezzler, compromising his English morality. Chapter 16: he falls in love with Arowhena and begins to question Erewhonian beliefs. Chapter 21: he plans escape, choosing love over moral consistency. Chapter 28: he launches the balloon, deceiving the Queen. Chapter 29: he devises an exploitation scheme, revealing his true moral emptiness.
Chapters: Ch 9, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 28, Ch 29
I have a very genuine dislike for all unhandsome dealings in money matters, though none can have a greater regard for money than I have, if it be got fairly. (Ch 9, para 1)
You would consort with the basest criminals, and yet deem simple embezzlement a bar to friendly intercourse. (Ch 9, para 8)
she said that she believed I loved her as much as she loved me, and that she would brave anything if I could only assure her that what I proposed would not be thought dishonourable in England (Ch 21, para 8)
B19. Balance of speaking parts by gender. Count
Of attributed speech, women have 100% and men 0%. (rough estimate from word lists)
| Group | Words spoken |
|---|---|
| Women | 17 |
| Men | 0 |
| Unclear | 0 |
B20. Who changes and who stays fixed? AI
Arowhena changes from distant to beloved to escape partner. Yram changes from jailor's daughter to unrequited lover. Mr. Nosnibor stays fixed as a respectable embezzler. Chowbok stays fixed as an outsider until Ch 29 when he becomes a missionary. The narrator stays fixed in his capacity for deception and moral emptiness.
Chapters: Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 16, Ch 21, Ch 28, Ch 29
As I beheld her I felt as though my position was already much ameliorated, for the very sight of her carried great comfort (Ch 8, para 2)
You would consort with the basest criminals, and yet deem simple embezzlement a bar to friendly intercourse. (Ch 9, para 8)
Arowhena however was perfection. (Ch 16, para 1)
Ask Erewhon a question about its craft (free beta)
Answers cite chapter and paragraph, and every quote is checked against the text. (3 free questions a day).
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