Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Satire of Institutions

  The College of Spiritual Athletics and the advertisements for moral training mock institutionalized religion and self-help fads.

• Hypocrisy and Deception

  Higgs's internal conflict about revealing his identity and the Erewhonians' exploitation of his legend highlight themes of deception and self-interest.

• Truth and Perception

  Higgs's struggle between instinct and reason, and the distorted accounts of his stay in Erewhon, explore the subjective nature of truth.

Characters to notice

• My Father

  Arrives in Sunch'ston, observes new social institutions, wrestles with moral dilemma about revealing himself, buys books and provisions, and retires for the night.

• Professor Hanky

  Mentioned as the seller of Higgs's property and the preacher at the upcoming temple dedication.

• Professor Panky

  Mentioned alongside Hanky as the buyer of Higgs's property.

• President Gurgoyle

  Author of several books seen at the bookstall, including 'The Sacrament of Divorce' and 'The Physics of Vicarious Existence.'

• Mrs. Tantrums

  Advertised as a 'Nagger' certified by the College of Spiritual Athletics, offering nagging and hysterics services.

Key passages

• “He had not gone far before a turn in the path⁠—now rapidly widening⁠—showed him two high towers, seemingly some two miles off; these he felt sure must be at Sunch’ston, he therefore stepped out, lest he should find the shops shut before he got there.”

  As he walked, the path widened and he saw two towers in the distance, which he recognized as belonging to Sunch'ston, so he hurried to reach the shops before they closed.

  Higgs's approach to Sunch'ston and his recognition of the temple towers.

• “The first important building that he came to proclaimed itself as the College of Spiritual Athletics, and in the window of a shop that was evidently affiliated to the college he saw an announcement that moral try-your-strengths, suitable for every kind of ordinary temptation, would be provided on the shortest notice.”

  The first notable building he saw was the College of Spiritual Athletics, and a nearby shop advertised devices for testing one's resistance to temptation.

  Higgs observes the new institution dedicated to moral training.

• “He settled it that the proper thing to do would be to buy some food, start back at once while his permit was still valid, help himself to the property which he had sold the Professors, leaving the Erewhonians to wrestle as they best might with the lot that it had pleased Heaven to send them.”

  He decided the best course was to buy food, return immediately while his permit was still good, take back the property he had sold to Hanky and Panky, and leave the Erewhonians to deal with their own problems.

  Higgs's initial plan to escape quickly and abandon the Erewhonians.

• “He therefore compromised by concluding that he would sup and sleep in Sunch’ston, get through the morrow as he best could without attracting attention, deepen the stain on his face and hair, and rely on the change so made in his appearance to prevent his being recognised at the dedication of the temple.”

  He compromised by deciding to eat and sleep in Sunch'ston, avoid drawing attention the next day, darken his skin and hair, and hope the disguise would prevent recognition at the temple dedication.

  Higgs's compromise to stay for the dedication while hiding his identity.

• “He would do nothing to disillusion the people⁠—to do this would only be making bad worse.”

  He decided not to reveal the truth to the people, as doing so would only worsen the situation.

  Higgs's decision to remain silent about his true identity.