Erewhon Revisited · Chapter
Professor Hanky Preaches a Sermon, in the Course of Which My Father Declares Himself to Be the Sunchild explained
Professor Hanky delivers a sermon at the temple dedication, extolling the Sunchild and challenging any doubters to reveal themselves.
What happens
Professor Hanky delivers a sermon at the temple dedication, extolling the Sunchild and challenging any doubters to reveal themselves. Higgs, recognizing Hanky's manipulation, is restrained by his son George but eventually declares himself as the Sunchild. Hanky calls for his destruction, but Yram intervenes, ordering Higgs be taken to prison instead. George leads Higgs away, and the interpreter who affirmed Higgs is arrested.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Credulity
Hanky's sermon manipulates the congregation's faith, presenting the Sunchild as either divine or a fraud, while exploiting credulity for institutional control.
Hypocrisy and Deception
Hanky's public reverence for the Sunchild contrasts with his private disdain, and he goads Higgs into revealing himself to trap him.
Truth and Perception
Higgs's true identity is known to several characters, yet the crowd's perception is manipulated by Hanky's rhetoric and Yram's calm authority.
Characters to notice
- My Father
Furious at Hanky's imposture, he is restrained by George but eventually declares himself the Sunchild, then is led away by George under Yram's orders.
- Professor Hanky
Preaches a sermon glorifying the Sunchild, goads Higgs into revealing himself, then calls for his destruction before collapsing.
- George
Recognizes Higgs, restrains him from speaking prematurely, then leads him out after Higgs declares himself, following Yram's instructions.
- Yram
Rises calmly to intervene, orders Higgs be taken to prison rather than harmed, and returns to her seat.
- The Narrator
Relates the events of the sermon and his father's declaration, though not present in the scene.
Key passages
“My friends, let there be no mistake. At such a time, as this, it is well we should look back upon the path by which we have travelled, and forward to the goal towards which we are tending.”
Hanky opens his sermon by urging the congregation to reflect on their past and future without error.
Sets the tone for the sermon's binary choice between truth and illusion.
“He in whose name we are here assembled, is either worthy of more reverential honour than we can ever pay him, or he is worthy of no more honour than any other honourable man among ourselves.”
Hanky presents the Sunchild as either divine or merely human, with no middle ground.
Highlights the central theological dilemma of the Sunchild's nature.
“I am the Sunchild, and you know it.”
Higgs declares his true identity in response to Hanky's goading.
Climactic moment where Higgs reveals himself, triggering Hanky's violent reaction.
“My friends, this temple, and this day, must not be profaned with blood. My son will take this poor madman to the prison.”
Yram calms the crowd and orders Higgs be taken to prison instead of being killed.
Yram's intervention prevents mob violence and redirects events to legal process.