Erewhon: Openings and endings
13 lenses on openings and endings 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: F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 F13
F1. First line and first paragraph: what each does. Both
The first full paragraph runs to 86 words and 2 sentences.
If the reader will excuse me, I will say nothing of my antecedents, nor of the circumstances which led me to leave my native country; the narrative would be tedious to him and painful to myself. (Ch 1, para 1)
The first paragraph establishes the narrator's voice as educated and evasive. He refuses to discuss his past, setting up mystery. It announces his goal: finding pastoral land and wealth in a new colony. The tone is formal, the intent mercenary, establishing the narrator's character and desire.
Chapters: Ch 1
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)
F2. What the first page sets up: voice, world, question. AI
The first page establishes an educated first-person narrator seeking fortune in a new colony. It creates mystery about his past and hints at obsession with the mountains. The voice is reflective and somewhat unreliable. The world is colonial and frontier-based. The question is: what lies beyond the mountains?
Chapters: Ch 1
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)
Never shall I forget the utter loneliness of the prospect—only the little far-away homestead giving sign of human handiwork (Ch 1, para 10)
I could not help speculating upon what might lie farther up the river and behind the second range (Ch 1, para 12)
F3. How many words before the lead appears? Count
First dialogue after 3,127 words. See the full lens on the book page.
F4. How many words before the first line of dialogue? Count
First dialogue after 3,127 words. See the full lens on the book page.
F5. The hook of chapter one. AI
Chapter 1's hook is the narrator's obsession with the mysterious mountains. He becomes fixated on exploring beyond the frontier despite warnings. The chapter ends with his resolve to attempt crossing after shearing season, creating anticipation for the journey.
Chapters: Ch 1
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)
F6. Prologue: its job and its length. Both
No prologue: the book starts in its first chapter.
Not a feature of this book. The novel has no prologue. It begins directly with the narrator's voice and backstory in chapter 1.
F7. How fast is the main story question posed? AI
The main story question is posed quickly. Chapter 1 establishes the narrator's obsession with the mountains. Chapter 2 deepens mystery through Chowbok's terrifying mime. Chapter 4 poses the central question when the narrator crosses the saddle: what lies beyond?
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 4
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)
This kindled my imagination more than if he had told me intelligible stories by the hour together (Ch 2, para 7)
F8. Final chapter: which beats resolve what. AI
Chapter 29 resolves the escape (chapter 28's climax) and marriage. It reveals the narrator's true scheme to exploit Erewhon. It shows Chowbok's redemption as a missionary. It leaves the narrator's future plans open, hinting at future schemes regarding machines.
Chapters: Ch 29
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)
F9. Last line: what it leaves in the mind. Both
The last full paragraph runs to 132 words.
It is my intention, on a future occasion, to bring together examples both of the expressions in common use among mechanicians, and of any extraordinary exhibitions of mechanical sagacity and eccentricity that I can meet with—not as believing in the Erewhonian Professor’s theory, but from the interest of the subject. (Ch 29, para 32)
The last line hints at future intentions. The narrator plans to collect expressions about machines from mechanicians, suggesting he will continue exploiting Erewhon. It leaves the reader with the narrator's mercenary nature unresolved, ending on ambition rather than closure.
Chapters: Ch 29
F10. Loose ends tied and left open. AI
The narrator's escape and marriage are resolved. Chowbok's redemption is revealed. Erewhon's location remains secret. The narrator's scheme to exploit Erewhon is announced but not executed. The reader never learns if the scheme succeeds or if Arowhena accepts her role in it.
Chapters: Ch 28, Ch 29
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)
F11. Epilogue: its job. Both
Ends with 'CHAPTER XXIX. CONCLUSION', 3,087 words.
Chapter 29 serves as epilogue, showing the narrator's return to England, marriage, and new scheme. It reveals his true character and intentions. It ties the love story to the exploitation plot, showing that even marriage serves his mercenary goals.
Chapters: Ch 29
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)
F12. Echoes between the opening and the ending. AI
The opening establishes the narrator's desire for wealth and fortune. The ending reveals he pursues this through exploitation of Erewhon disguised as missionary work. Both opening and ending show the narrator's mercenary nature. The mountains that opened the story become the source of future profit.
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)
F13. Length of the wind down after the climax. Count
After the climax (chapter 28, our reading) the book runs 3,087 more words, 3.8% of the whole.
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