Erewhon Revisited · Character

President Gurgoyle

An Erewhonian academic who writes a pamphlet on vicarious existence.

minor

Also known as Dr. Gurgoyle, XI President Gurgoyle, the venerable Dr. Gurgoyle

First appearance: President Gurgoyle’s Pamphlet “On the Physics of Vicarious Existence”

President Gurgoyle shows up with force in Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Author of several books seen at the bookstall, including 'The Sacrament of Divorce' and 'The Physics of Vicarious Existence.'

In the storySigns of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every SideOpen this moment free

President Gurgoyle first appears in 0013 xi president gurgoyle s pamphlet on the physics of vicarious existence.

In Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side: Author of several books seen at the bookstall, including 'The Sacrament of Divorce' and 'The Physics of Vicarious Existence.'

Later, in X: My Father, Fearing Recognition at Sunch’ston, Betakes Himself to the Neighbouring Town of Fairmead: His pamphlet on vicarious life after death is read and reflected upon by my father.

See President Gurgoyle in Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how President Gurgoyle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Erewhon's central figures
Erewhon's peripheral characters
Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Higgs’s ret…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

President Gurgoyle appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side
Author of several books seen at the bookstall, including 'The Sacrament of Divorce' and 'The Physics of Vicarious Existence.'
X: My Father, Fearing Recognition at Sunch’ston, Betakes Himself to the Neighbouring Town of Fairmead
His pamphlet on vicarious life after death is read and reflected upon by my father.
President Gurgoyle’s Pamphlet “On the Physics of Vicarious Existence”
Author of the pamphlet 'On the Physics of Vicarious Existence'; reinterprets Higgs's teachings to argue for a posthumous life through influence, rejecting both bodily resurrection and complete death.
XV: The Temple Is Dedicated to My Father, and Certain Extracts Are Read from His Supposed Sayings
Declares the temple dedicated to the contemplation of the Sunchild and the exposition of his teaching.
George and I Spend a Few Hours Together at the Statues, and Then Part—I Reach Home—Postscript
Referred to as the King who interviews the characters and decides to let Sunchildism fade gradually.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for President Gurgoyle unlock in the free preview.

See President Gurgoyle in President Gurgoyle’s Pamphlet “On the Physics of Vicarious Existence”

See President Gurgoyle in Signs of the New Order of Things Catch My Father’s Eye on Every Side