# Erewhonians — Erewhon character guide > Erewhonians in Erewhon by Samuel Butler. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Erewhonians, Erewhonians, the Unborn **First appearance:** 0010-vi-into-erewhon ## Who they are A nation that jails the sick, banks with music, and abolished machines for fear of being out-evolved — earnest, pious, and utterly upside down. ## Relationships ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/narrator) _social_ The Erewhonians are the general populace of the strange land, interacting with the narrator as curious observers and subjects of his anthropological study. ### [Marquis of Normanby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/marquis_of_normanby) _social_ The Erewhonians interact with the Marquis of Normanby as a foreign dignitary and representative of the outside world. ### [Arowhena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/arowhena) _social_ Arowhena is a native Erewhonian, and her relationship with her people is one of belonging but also tension due to her love for the outsider narrator. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/narrator) _social_ The Erewhonians are the general populace of the strange land, interacting with the narrator as curious observers and subjects of his anthropological study. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/narrator) _social_ The Erewhonians are the general populace of the strange land, interacting with the narrator as curious observers and subjects of his anthropological study. ## In the story ### [Preface to Second Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/preface-to-second-edition) Described as difficult to understand, self-deceivers who ignore anomalies unless directly affected. ### [Preface to the Revised Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/preface-to-the-revised-edition) Referenced as the society whose philosopher articulates Butler's theory in Chapter XXVII. ### [Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/erewhon) The inhabitants of Erewhon, whose inverted moral and legal systems are central to the chapter. ### [Into Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/vi-into-erewhon) The inhabitants who discover the narrator; they are dark-skinned, handsome, and curious about him, treating him with a mix of wonder and deference. ### [VII: First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/vii-first-impressions) The Erewhonians are described as exceptionally beautiful, well-bred, and suspicious of machinery; they bow at shrines and show grave displeasure at the watch. ### [VIII: In Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/viii-in-prison) Visitors come to see the narrator; some are kind, others snobbish. ### [To the Metropolis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/ix-to-the-metropolis) Greet the narrator with curiosity; they treat ill temper as a physical ailment and have a complex system of morality that punishes poverty and illness. ### [Current Opinions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/x-current-opinions) General population described as open about moral failings but secretive about physical illness, using euphemisms like 'having the socks' for indisposition. ### [XI: Some Erewhonian Trials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xi-some-erewhonian-trials) The populace, including jurors and bystanders, who participate in and uphold the legal system. ### [XII: Malcontents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xii-malcontents) The court and society accept the punishment of illness as just, showing collective moral certainty. ### [XIII: The Views of the Erewhonians Concerning Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xiii-the-views-of-the-erewhonians-concerning-death) The Erewhonians hold unique views on death, considering it less serious than disease, and practice cremation with ash scattering. They also have customs for statues and condolence tears. ### [The Musical Banks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xv-the-musical-banks) The general populace who maintain appearances by keeping Musical Bank coins, though they rely on the other currency for real transactions. ### [Ydgrun and the Ydgrunites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xvii-ydgrun-and-the-ydgrunites) Depicted as superstitious in their professed religion but deeply devoted to Ydgrun in practice, with unwritten compromises favoring Ydgrun. ### [Birth Formulae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xviii-birth-formulae) The Erewhonians are described as believing in preexistence and using birth formulae to shift blame onto the unborn. ### [XIX: The World of the Unborn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xix-the-world-of-the-unborn) The Erewhonians are the source of the elaborate philosophy and mythology about the unborn, including their theories on time and birth. ### [XX: What They Mean by It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xx-what-they-mean-by-it) Their professed views on the unborn and their practical modifications; their attitudes toward children and wealth. ### [XXII: The Colleges of Unreason—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxii-the-colleges-of-unreason-continued) The Erewhonian society is depicted as valuing evasion and conformity, with a pervasive fear of expressing definite opinions. ### [XXIV: The Machines—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxiv-the-machines-continued) The Erewhonian author of the book on machines is referenced throughout the chapter. ### [XXV: The Machines—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxv-the-machines-concluded) The society that debated and ultimately destroyed machinery from the preceding 271 years. ### [XXVI: The Views of an Erewhonian Prophet Concerning the Rights of Animals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxvi-the-views-of-an-erewhonian-prophet-concerning-the-rights-of-animals) The Erewhonians are described as meek and easily led, and their society is shown grappling with the prophet's laws on animal rights. ### [The Views of an Erewhonian Prophet Concerning the Rights of Vegetables](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxvii-the-views-of-an-erewhonian-prophet-concerning-the-rights-of-vegetables) The Erewhonians are depicted as oscillating between strict Puritanism and absurd philosophical extremes, eventually returning to common sense. ### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxviii-escape) The cashier of the Musical Banks warns the narrator of his impending prosecution; the Queen and King are involved in granting permission for the balloon. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxix-conclusion) Targeted for recruitment as laborers in Queensland under the narrator's scheme. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/erewhonians - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters