Erewhon Revisited · Chapter
XII: George Fails to Find My Father, Whereon Yram Cautions the Professors explained
George searches for his father Higgs at Fairmead and Clearwater but fails to find him, while Higgs unknowingly avoids detection.
What happens
George searches for his father Higgs at Fairmead and Clearwater but fails to find him, while Higgs unknowingly avoids detection. Yram and the Mayor discuss the situation with the Professors, who threaten to throw Higgs into the Blue Pool. Yram subtly warns them, hinting at intervention from 'black and white horses.' Hanky secretly sends a note to the temple manager, and the Professors reveal their willingness to suppress evidence to protect Sunchildism.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Deception
The Professors' willingness to suppress evidence and manipulate public perception to protect Sunchildism highlights institutional hypocrisy.
Satire of Institutions
The Professors' cynical discussion of how they would manipulate an inquest satirizes academic and religious institutions' self-preservation.
Characters to notice
- Yram
Yram cautions the Professors about Higgs's presence and hints at supernatural intervention, showing her protective and strategic nature.
- George
George diligently searches for Higgs at Fairmead and Clearwater but fails to find him, then confronts the Professors about their threats.
- My Father
Higgs unknowingly avoids George by staying in the Musical Bank at Fairmead, then decides to remain there for the night.
- Professor Hanky
Hanky threatens to have Higgs thrown into the Blue Pool and secretly sends a note to the temple manager, revealing his manipulative and ruthless tactics.
- Professor Panky
Panky attempts to argue that Higgs is not the Sunchild but is overruled by Hanky, showing his complicity in the cover-up.
Key passages
“He will come back here for the dedication, but there will be such crowds that we may not see him till he is inside the temple, and it will save trouble if we can lay hold on him sooner.”
Yram predicts Higgs will return for the temple dedication but suggests finding him beforehand to avoid the crowds.
Yram's strategic planning to intercept Higgs before the public event.
“I shall have no option but to report the matter at headquarters. If, on the other hand, the poor wretch makes a disturbance, I can set the crowd on to tear him in pieces.”
Hanky threatens to either report Higgs or incite the crowd to kill him if he causes trouble.
Hanky's ruthless threat to eliminate Higgs through official or mob violence.
“We shall not permit the body to be the Sunchild's. No matter what evidence you may produce, we shall sneer it down, and say we must have more before you can expect us to take you seriously; if you bring more, we shall pay no attention; and the more you bring the more we shall laugh at you.”
Hanky declares that the Professors will dismiss any evidence identifying the body as Higgs, using ridicule and denial to protect Sunchildism.
Hanky's cynical admission of institutional manipulation to suppress truth.