Erewhon · Chapter
Current Opinions explained
The narrator describes Erewhonian attitudes toward crime and morality, where criminal acts are treated as illnesses requiring treatment by 'straighteners' (soul-craft practitioners) rather than punishment.
What happens
The narrator describes Erewhonian attitudes toward crime and morality, where criminal acts are treated as illnesses requiring treatment by 'straighteners' (soul-craft practitioners) rather than punishment. He explains the social etiquette of discussing moral health instead of physical health, and recounts Mr. Nosnibor's case of embezzlement, which was treated with fines, diet, and flogging rather than imprisonment.
Themes in this chapter
Inversion of Morality
Erewhon inverts Victorian morality: crime is treated as illness requiring medical treatment, while physical illness is hidden and stigmatized.
Truth and Deception
Erewhonians use recognized fictions and euphemisms (e.g., 'having the socks') to discuss moral failings while concealing physical ailments.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The narrator observes and explains Erewhonian customs, participates in polite conversation about moral health, and stays with the Nosnibors.
- Mr. Nosnibor
Host to the narrator; he embezzled money and is undergoing treatment by a straightener, including fines, bread and milk diet, and monthly floggings.
- Mrs. Nosnibor
Praises the narrator for his polite response to a lady's excuse about her husband stealing socks, and explains Erewhonian etiquette.
- Erewhonians
General population described as open about moral failings but secretive about physical illness, using euphemisms like 'having the socks' for indisposition.
- Professors of Unreason
Mentioned as teachers of the hypothetical language used by straighteners to name mental indispositions.
- The Doctor
Family practitioner involved in Mr. Nosnibor's consultation with the straightener.
Key passages
“These men practise much as medical men in England, and receive a quasi-surreptitious fee on every visit.”
Straighteners operate like English doctors, taking under-the-table payments for each visit.
Highlights the parallel between Erewhonian soul-craft and English medical practice.
“They salute each other with, 'I hope you are good this morning;' or 'I hope you have recovered from the snappishness from which you were suffering when I last saw you;'”
Erewhonian greetings inquire about moral health rather than physical health.
Illustrates the inversion of social norms regarding health and morality.
“Thus, a day or two after my arrival at the Nosnibors', one of the many ladies who called on me made excuses for her husband's only sending his card, on the ground that when going through the public marketplace that morning he had stolen a pair of socks.”
A lady excuses her husband's absence by saying he stole socks, a euphemism for being slightly indisposed.
Demonstrates the use of recognized fictions in Erewhonian social etiquette.