# After Dinner, Dr. Downie and the Professors Would Be Glad to Know What Is to Be Done About Sunchildism explained — Erewhon Revisited

> Chapter companion for Erewhon Revisited by Samuel Butler.

## What happens

During a dinner at Yram's house, Higgs reunites with Mrs. Humdrum, Dr. Downie, and the Professors. The conversation centers on Higgs's adventures and Sunchildism. Dr. Downie asks Higgs what should be done about Sunchildism; Higgs suggests exposing himself as an impostor but then pragmatically advises letting the myth continue. After a private leave-taking with Yram, Higgs gives a vague answer to Panky's textual question and departs with George.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Deception

Higgs advises maintaining the Sunchild myth despite knowing it is false, highlighting the pragmatic deception underlying Sunchildism.

### Satire of Institutions

The discussion of Sunchildism as a 'cock-and-bull story' and the suggestion to let it continue satirizes religious and institutional credulity.

### Truth and Perception

Higgs's proposal to expose himself contrasts with the practical decision to preserve the illusion, exploring the tension between truth and social stability.

## Character check-ins

### My Father

Dines with Yram, George, and others; advises on Sunchildism; shares an emotional farewell with Yram.

### Yram

Hosts the dinner, prepares supplies for Higgs's journey, and has a private, emotional leave-taking with him.

### George

Sits next to Higgs, helps manage the evening, and escorts Higgs out after the farewell.

### Mrs. Humdrum

Attends the dinner; Higgs speaks with her about her granddaughter and George.

### Dr. Downie

Sits at dinner and asks Higgs what should be done about Sunchildism.

### Professor Hanky

Greets Higgs with Bridgeford manner; sits at dinner.

### Professor Panky

Asks Higgs about a textual corruption; receives a vague answer and goes away contentedly.

## Key lines

> You know, my dear sir, as well as I do, that the proper thing would be to put me back in prison, and keep me there till you can send me down to the capital.

Higgs tells Dr. Downie that the correct course would be to imprison him again and send him to the capital.

_Higgs suggests the honest but impractical solution to the Sunchildism problem._

> There. What I have said is nine-tenths of it rotten and wrong, but it is the most practicable rotten and wrong that I can suggest, seeing into what a rotten and wrong state of things you have drifted.

Higgs admits his advice is mostly flawed but is the most workable option given their corrupt situation.

_Higgs pragmatically accepts the necessity of deception in a flawed system._

> Let this be our leave-taking—for we must have nothing like a scene upstairs. Just shake hands with us all, say the usual conventional things, and make it as short as you can; but I could not bear to send you away without a few warmer words than I could have said when others were in the room.

Yram asks Higgs to keep their farewell brief and conventional in public, but she wanted a private moment to express her true feelings.

_Yram arranges a private goodbye to avoid an emotional scene._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxiv-after-dinner-dr-downie-and-the-professors-would-be-glad-to-know-what-is-to-be-done-about-sunchildism
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/erewhon_revisited_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters