# The Narrator — Erewhon Revisited character guide > The Narrator in Erewhon Revisited by Samuel Butler. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Unknown, my father's son **First appearance:** 0029-xxvii-i-meet-my-brother-george-at-the-statues-on-the-top-of-the-pass-into-erewhon ## Snapshot The son of Higgs and Arowhena, who frames the sequel and inherits the task of sorting his father's Erewhonian adventures into a book the reader can trust. ## Who they are The narrator stands outside the action as its editor and heir, quoting his father's manuscript while insisting on his own Broad Church sympathies and his suspicion of anyone who says one thing and hides another. His filial duty to preserve Higgs's account is complicated by the awkwardness of a father who has become a god to strangers and a prig to his own family. He matters because his framing voice sets the book's skeptical, ironic temperature, teaching the reader to watch the new religion of Sunchildism with the same wary eye he turns on his own father. ## Relationships ### [My Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/my_father) _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 is a loyal companion and guide to the narrator during his journey. ### [Professor Hanky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_hanky) _rivalry_ Professor Hanky views the narrator with suspicion and hostility, acting as an adversary. ### [Professor Panky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_panky) _rivalry_ Professor Panky is a deceptive opponent who tries to undermine the narrator's mission. ### [Yram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/yram) _family_ The narrator regards Yram with filial affection, as she was his father's beloved. ### [Mr. Cathie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/mr_cathie) _friendship_ Mr. Cathie is a helpful and friendly local who assists the narrator with information. ### [Old Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/old_doctor) _friendship_ The Old Doctor is a wise and kindly figure who offers advice and aid to the narrator. ### [Mrs. Humdrum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/mrs_humdrum) _social_ Mrs. Humdrum is a chatty local who interacts with the narrator as a guest and source of news. ### [My Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/my_father) _family_ Father and son, with the narrator recounting his father's adventures in Erewhon. ### [Yram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/yram) _family_ The narrator regards Yram with filial affection, as she was his father's beloved. ### [George](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/george) _friendship_ George is a loyal companion and guide to the narrator during his journey. ### [Professor Hanky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/professor_hanky) _rivalry_ Professor Hanky views the narrator with suspicion and hostility, acting as an adversary. ## In the story ### [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) Higgs's son, accompanying his father on the return journey. ### [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 son of Higgs, who edits his father's diaries and recounts the story. He initially had not read his father's book but later reads it and becomes concerned about the dangers his father faces. ### [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 son recounting his father's journey and thoughts. ### [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) Provides commentary on translation choices and recounts his father's story. ### [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) Provides commentary on Gurgoyle's pamphlet, noting his father's denial of certain sayings attributed to him and expressing his own ability to demolish Gurgoyle's arguments. ### [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) Relates the events of the sermon and his father's declaration, though not present in the scene. ### [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) Listens to his father's account, receives instructions about delivering money to George, and witnesses his father's death. ### [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 prepares for his journey, buys gifts, carries gold bars, and travels to Erewhon, meeting his brother George at the statues. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters/the_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_revisited_se/characters