Erewhon Revisited · Chapter
Yram, on Getting Rid of Her Guests, Goes to the Prison to See My Father explained
Yram visits Higgs in prison, bringing food and wine.
What happens
Yram visits Higgs in prison, bringing food and wine. They have an emotional reunion where Yram reassures him, reveals that George is publicly known as Mr. Strong's son, and discusses the plan to keep Higgs's identity secret. Higgs gives Yram gold nuggets for George and arranges to hide a box of sovereigns at his campsite. Yram also mentions George's love for Mrs. Humdrum's granddaughter.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Deception
Yram and Higgs plan to deny Higgs's identity and lie to protect George, with Yram praising the 'invaluable gift' of knowing when to lie.
Family and Legacy
Higgs provides for George secretly, Yram reveals George's true parentage but maintains public fiction, and Higgs's love for his son drives his actions.
Characters to notice
- My Father
Emotionally agitated but calmed by Yram; gives her gold for George and arranges to hide sovereigns.
- Yram
Visits Higgs in prison, soothes him, reveals George's parentage arrangement, accepts gold for George, and discusses plans.
- George
Mentioned as Yram's son, in love with Mrs. Humdrum's granddaughter, and central to the secrecy plan.
- Mrs. Humdrum
Mentioned as Yram's confidante and grandmother of George's love interest.
- Professor Hanky
Mentioned as someone Higgs will have to pretend to befriend.
- Professor Panky
Mentioned alongside Hanky as part of the deception.
Key passages
“I fear, to do as much harm now as I did before, and with as little wish to do any harm at all.”
Higgs fears he will cause trouble again unintentionally.
Higgs expresses regret and helplessness about his impact on Erewhon.
“He irradiates the lives of every one of us.”
George brings joy to everyone around him.
Yram describes George's positive influence on their lives.
“I will deny myself, not once, nor twice, but as often as is necessary.”
Higgs agrees to lie about his identity repeatedly.
Higgs commits to the deception plan to protect George.
“He enjoys falsehood as well as we all do, and has the nicest sense of when to lie and when not to do so.”
George is skilled at knowing when to be dishonest.
Yram justifies lying as a necessary skill in Erewhon.