# My Father — Erewhon Revisited character guide > My Father in Erewhon Revisited by Samuel Butler. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Higgs, Higgs, the Sunchild **First appearance:** 0003-i-ups-and-downs-of-fortune-my-father-starts-for-erewhon ## Snapshot A former traveler returning to Erewhon in disguise, he discovers that he has been deified as the Sunchild and must reckon with the religion built around his own legend. ## Who they are Once a curious explorer who escaped Erewhon by balloon, he now slips back incognito to see the temple raised in his honor, only to find his casual words and habits hardened into sacred dogma. He is torn between the pull of old affections—Yram, the son he never knew—and the danger of exposure, since the priests who profit from Sunchildism would rather silence him than let him correct the record. His presence forces the novel's central collision between private memory and public myth. ## Relationships ### [The Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/the_narrator) _family_ Father and son, with the narrator recounting his father's adventures in Erewhon. ### [George](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/george) _friendship_ George serves as a trusted ally and helper to the narrator's father. ### [Yram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/yram) _romantic_ My father shares a deep romantic bond with Yram, marked by affection and longing. ### [Professor Hanky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_hanky) _rivalry_ Professor Hanky is a cunning antagonist who opposes my father's ideas and actions. ### [Professor Panky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_panky) _rivalry_ Professor Panky is a manipulative rival who schemes against my father. ### [Mrs. Humdrum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/mrs_humdrum) _social_ Mrs. Humdrum is a local acquaintance who provides lodging and gossip to my father. ### [Head Ranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/head_ranger) _professional_ The Head Ranger is an official who interacts with my father in a formal, duty-bound capacity. ### [Professor Hanky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_hanky) _rivalry_ Professor Hanky is a cunning antagonist who opposes my father's ideas and actions. ### [The Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/the_narrator) _family_ Father and son, with the narrator recounting his father's adventures in Erewhon. ### [George](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/george) _friendship_ George serves as a trusted ally and helper to the narrator's father. ### [Yram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/yram) _romantic_ My father shares a deep romantic bond with Yram, marked by affection and longing. ### [Professor Panky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_panky) _rivalry_ Professor Panky is a manipulative rival who schemes against my father. ## In the story ### [Author's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/author-s-preface) Referred to as Mr. Higgs, the remarkable stranger whose balloon ascent and marriage to Arowhena catalyze the new religion in Erewhon. ### [Erewhon Revisited Twenty Years Later Both by the Original Discoverer of the Country and by His Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/erewhon-revisited) The original discoverer of Erewhon, returning after twenty years. ### [I: Ups and Downs of Fortune—My Father Starts for Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/i-ups-and-downs-of-fortune-my-father-starts-for-erewhon) The protagonist, Higgs, whose book 'Erewhon' initially gained acclaim but later fell into disrepute. After his wife's death, he becomes obsessed with returning to Erewhon and sets out on October 1, 1890. ### [To the Foot of the Pass Into Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/ii-to-the-foot-of-the-pass-into-erewhon) The protagonist, preparing for his journey into Erewhon, reflecting on the past and disguising himself. ### [III: My Father While Camping Is Accosted by Professors Hanky and Panky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/iii-my-father-while-camping-is-accosted-by-professors-hanky-and-panky) Climbs the pass, catches quails, and cleverly deceives Professors Hanky and Panky to avoid suspicion. ### [My Father Overhears More of Hanky and Panky’s Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/iv-my-father-overhears-more-of-hanky-and-panky-s-conversation) Sells quails to the professors, overhears their conversation, and is nearly discovered when Panky examines his boots. ### [V: My Father Meets a Son, of Whose Existence He Was Ignorant; and Strikes a Bargain with Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/v-my-father-meets-a-son-of-whose-existence-he-was-ignorant-and-strikes-a-bargain-with-him) Higgs learns he is the Sunchild, meets his unknown son, and bargains with him; he reflects on the new religion and plans to see the temple dedication. ### [VI: Further Conversation Between Father and Son—The Professors’ Hoard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/vi-further-conversation-between-father-and-son-the-professors-hoard) Conceals his identity from George, learns about Hanky's attempt on Yram's life, and later discovers and steals the Professors' hidden nuggets. ### [Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/vii-signs-of-the-new-order-of-things-catch-my-father-s-eye-on-every-side) Arrives in Sunch'ston, observes new social institutions, wrestles with moral dilemma about revealing himself, buys books and provisions, and retires for the night. ### [Interview Between Yram and Her Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/ix-interview-between-yram-and-her-son) Identified as Higgs, the Sunchild, and George's biological father; currently in disguise. ### [X: My Father, Fearing Recognition at Sunch’ston, Betakes Himself to the Neighbouring Town of Fairmead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/x-my-father-fearing-recognition-at-sunch-ston-betakes-himself-to-the-neighbouring-town-of-fairmead) Fearing recognition, he leaves Sunch'ston for Fairmead, observes the Mayor's proceedings, and reflects on Erewhonian views of the afterlife. ### [President Gurgoyle’s Pamphlet “On the Physics of Vicarious Existence”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xi-president-gurgoyle-s-pamphlet-on-the-physics-of-vicarious-existence) Higgs is the subject of Gurgoyle's reinterpretation; he is quoted selectively and his original teachings are distorted to support Gurgoyle's views. ### [XII: George Fails to Find My Father, Whereon Yram Cautions the Professors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xii-george-fails-to-find-my-father-whereon-yram-cautions-the-professors) Higgs unknowingly avoids George by staying in the Musical Bank at Fairmead, then decides to remain there for the night. ### [A Visit to the Provincial Deformatory at Fairmead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xiii-a-visit-to-the-provincial-deformatory-at-fairmead) Visits the Deformatory under the alias Mr. Senoj, observes the perverse educational system, and flees when he fears encountering Hanky and Panky. ### [XIV: My Father Makes the Acquaintance of Mr. Balmy, and Walks with Him Next Day to Sunch’ston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xiv-my-father-makes-the-acquaintance-of-mr-balmy-and-walks-with-him-next-day-to-sunch-ston) Walks with Mr. Balmy to Sunch'ston, seeking to understand the history of Erewhon's transformation; he feigns the gift of tongues and cautiously probes Mr. Balmy about Bridgeford's motives. ### [XV: The Temple Is Dedicated to My Father, and Certain Extracts Are Read from His Supposed Sayings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xv-the-temple-is-dedicated-to-my-father-and-certain-extracts-are-read-from-his-supposed-sayings) Walks with Mr. Balmy, feels guilt over the harm his deceptions have caused, attends the temple dedication, falls asleep, and is woken by George. ### [Professor Hanky Preaches a Sermon, in the Course of Which My Father Declares Himself to Be the Sunchild](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xvi-professor-hanky-preaches-a-sermon-in-the-course-of-which-my-father-declares-himself-to-be-the-sunchild) 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. ### [George Takes His Father to Prison, and There Obtains Some Useful Information](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xvii-george-takes-his-father-to-prison-and-there-obtains-some-useful-information) Higgs is taken to prison by George, where he learns George knows he is his son. He hands over the nuggets and evidence, and exchanges boots with George. ### [Yram Invites Dr. Downie and Mrs. Humdrum to Luncheon—A Passage at Arms Between Her and Hanky Is Amicably Arranged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xviii-yram-invites-dr-downie-and-mrs-humdrum-to-luncheon-a-passage-at-arms-between-her-and-hanky-is-amicably-arranged) Causes a disturbance at the temple by declaring himself the Sunchild, then is quickly removed by George. ### [Yram, on Getting Rid of Her Guests, Goes to the Prison to See My Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxi-yram-on-getting-rid-of-her-guests-goes-to-the-prison-to-see-my-father) Emotionally agitated but calmed by Yram; gives her gold for George and arranges to hide sovereigns. ### [XXII: Mainly Occupied with a Veracious Extract from a Sunch’stonian Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxii-mainly-occupied-with-a-veracious-extract-from-a-sunch-stonian-journal) Languishes in his cell while the town celebrates him; the newspaper account officially denies the prisoner is him. ### [My Father Is Escorted to the Mayor’s House, and Is Introduced to a Future Daughter-in-Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxiii-my-father-is-escorted-to-the-mayor-s-house-and-is-introduced-to-a-future-daughter-in-law) Is escorted to the Mayor's house, meets the Mayor and Yram, discusses George's inheritance, and is introduced to the Mayor's family. ### [After Dinner, Dr. Downie and the Professors Would Be Glad to Know What Is to Be Done About Sunchildism](https://www.betterreads.dev/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) Dines with Yram, George, and others; advises on Sunchildism; shares an emotional farewell with Yram. ### [George Escorts My Father to the Statues; The Two Then Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxv-george-escorts-my-father-to-the-statues-the-two-then-part) Escorted by George, he discusses the future of Sunchildism and makes a covenant to meet again at the statues. ### [XXVI: My Father Reaches Home, and Dies Not Long Afterwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxvi-my-father-reaches-home-and-dies-not-long-afterwards) Returns home broken in health and spirit, recounts his journey, gives final instructions about George's money, and dies. ### [I Meet My Brother George at the Statues, on the Top of the Pass Into Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxvii-i-meet-my-brother-george-at-the-statues-on-the-top-of-the-pass-into-erewhon) The narrator's father is deceased; his estate is settled, and the narrator retraces his journey, finding evidence of his campsites. ### [George and I Spend a Few Hours Together at the Statues, and Then Part—I Reach Home—Postscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/chapters/xxviii-george-and-i-spend-a-few-hours-together-at-the-statues-and-then-part-i-reach-home-postscript) Mentioned as the Sunchild whose legacy and belongings are discussed; his dying wish to send gold and brooches to George is fulfilled. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/my_father - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters