# Narrator — Erewhon character guide > Narrator in Erewhon by Samuel Butler. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, myself, my master **First appearance:** 0004-erewhon ## Who they are An unnamed adventurer who stumbles into Erewhon and records its customs with a straight face, letting absurdity do the work of satire. ## Relationships ### [Arowhena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/arowhena) _romantic_ Arowhena is the narrator's beloved and eventual wife, their relationship central to the plot and filled with deep affection. ### [Chowbok](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/chowbok) _friendship_ Chowbok is the narrator's loyal companion and guide during his early adventures in Erewhon. ### [Zulora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/zulora) _romantic_ Zulora is the narrator's initial love interest, but their relationship is complicated by her eventual rejection and his later marriage to Arowhena. ### [Marquis of Normanby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/marquis_of_normanby) _professional_ The Marquis of Normanby is a colonial official who employs the narrator as a shepherd and later assists his return to civilization. ### [Yram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/yram) _romantic_ Yram is the narrator's first Erewhonian love, a beautiful woman who teaches him the local customs and language. ### [Erewhonians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/erewhonians) _social_ The Erewhonians are the general populace of the strange land, interacting with the narrator as curious observers and subjects of his anthropological study. ### [Professors of Unreason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/professors_of_unreason) _professional_ The Professors of Unreason are academic figures who engage the narrator in debates about Erewhonian philosophy and logic. ### [Paley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/paley) _friendship_ Paley is a fellow traveler and friend who accompanies the narrator on part of his journey and shares his observations. ### [Solomons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/solomons) _professional_ Solomons is a merchant who provides the narrator with supplies and information about Erewhon. ### [Mr. Habakkuk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/mr_habakkuk) _friendship_ Mr. Habakkuk is a missionary who befriends the narrator and shares his experiences in Erewhon. ### [Samuel Butler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/samuel_butler) _psychological_ Samuel Butler is the author who inserts himself as a character, creating a meta-fictional relationship with the narrator as his creator and commentator. ### [Moses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/moses) _professional_ Moses is a servant or guide who assists the narrator during his stay in Erewhon. ## In the story ### [Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/erewhon) The protagonist and observer who travels to Erewhon and documents its customs. ### [Waste Lands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/i-waste-lands) The protagonist, a 22-year-old English emigrant working as a cadet on a sheep station, driven by ambition to explore beyond the mountains. ### [In the Wool-Shed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/ii-in-the-wool-shed) The narrator interrogates Chowbok about the mountains, plans an expedition, and secures Chowbok's reluctant help. ### [Up the River](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/iii-up-the-river) The narrator leads the exploration up the river, determined to find a pass over the main range despite difficulties. ### [The Saddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/iv-the-saddle) Continues alone after Chowbok deserts him, ascends the saddle, and camps in the chasm. ### [The River and the Range](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/v-the-river-and-the-range) The narrator descends to the river, builds a raft, and crosses it, reflecting on his spiritual efforts with Chowbok. ### [Into Erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/vi-into-erewhon) Descends into Erewhon, is discovered by locals, and is taken in by the inhabitants, observing their customs and his own captivity. ### [VII: First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/vii-first-impressions) The narrator is taken through a village, has his watch confiscated, and is imprisoned; he reflects on Paley's argument and the Erewhonians' reaction to his watch. ### [VIII: In Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/viii-in-prison) Imprisoned, learning the language, and reflecting on Erewhonian customs. ### [To the Metropolis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/ix-to-the-metropolis) Struggles to understand Erewhonian morality, reluctantly accepts Mr. Nosnibor's invitation, and adapts to local customs regarding ill temper. ### [Current Opinions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/x-current-opinions) The narrator observes and explains Erewhonian customs, participates in polite conversation about moral health, and stays with the Nosnibors. ### [XI: Some Erewhonian Trials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xi-some-erewhonian-trials) Observes and recounts the trials, reflecting on the absurdity of Erewhonian justice. ### [XII: Malcontents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xii-malcontents) Reflects on the trial and Erewhonian justice, comparing it to English customs. ### [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 narrator observes and explains Erewhonian customs regarding death, statues, and childbirth. ### [XIV: Mahaina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xiv-mahaina) Observes and reflects critically on the Erewhonian treatment of illness and morality, particularly regarding Mahaina's supposed dipsomania. ### [The Musical Banks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xv-the-musical-banks) Accompanies the Nosnibor ladies to the Musical Bank, observes the system with critical eye, and questions the cashiers about the currency. ### [XVI: Arowhena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xvi-arowhena) Falls in love with Arowhena, struggles with Erewhonian marriage customs, and debates religious beliefs with Arowhena. ### [Ydgrun and the Ydgrunites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xvii-ydgrun-and-the-ydgrunites) Observes and analyzes Erewhonian religious practices, distinguishes between Ydgrunites and high Ydgrunites, and considers the challenges of conversion. ### [Birth Formulae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xviii-birth-formulae) The narrator learns about Erewhonian birth formulae and questions their ethical implications. ### [XIX: The World of the Unborn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xix-the-world-of-the-unborn) The narrator recounts the Erewhonian beliefs about the world of the unborn, having 'waded through many chapters' on the subject. ### [XX: What They Mean by It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xx-what-they-mean-by-it) Reflects on Erewhonian mythology, parent-child relations, education, and wealth. ### [The Colleges of Unreason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxi-the-colleges-of-unreason) Reflects on his love for Arowhena and plans their escape; visits the Colleges of Unreason with Mr. Thims. ### [XXII: The Colleges of Unreason—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxii-the-colleges-of-unreason-continued) The narrator recounts his experiences at the Colleges of Unreason, discusses genius with professors, and learns about the anti-machinist revolution. ### [XXIII: The Book of the Machines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxiii-the-book-of-the-machines) The narrator translates and comments on the Book of the Machines. ### [XXIV: The Machines—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxiv-the-machines-continued) The narrator reads and reflects on the Erewhonian book about machines, finding parts of it obscure. ### [XXV: The Machines—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxv-the-machines-concluded) Translates and reflects on the Erewhonian treatise about machines; sacrifices the original work to save himself and Arowhena. ### [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 narrator recounts the history of the Erewhonian prophet and the consequences of his teachings 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 narrator recounts the history of Erewhonian dietary laws and the philosopher's arguments. ### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxviii-escape) Orchestrates the balloon escape, deceives the Queen about his intentions, and risks everything to flee with Arowhena. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xxix-conclusion) Proposes a commercial and religious scheme to exploit Erewhon; returns to London and writes tracts. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters/narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/characters