Erewhon · Question
How does Erewhon develop the theme of Family and Parent-Child Relations?
Answer
Erewhon by Samuel Butler develops Family and Parent-Child Relations across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Erewhonian society enforces 'compulsory affection' through laws that punish children for disobedience, leading to strained family bonds, which critiques Victorian family dynamics and authoritarian parenting.
The Nosnibor family dynamics are on display, with Zulora and her sister expressing differing views, and Mrs. Nosnibor guiding the conversation with charitable hypocrisy.
Arowhena is put upon by her family but remains unselfish; the custom of marrying the eldest daughter first dictates family dynamics.
The formula absolves parents of responsibility for their children's existence and defects, inverting typical family obligations.
Evidence in the book
- XIV: Mahaina
The Nosnibor family dynamics are on display, with Zulora and her sister expressing differing views, and Mrs. Nosnibor guiding the conversation with charitable hypocrisy.
- XVI: Arowhena
Arowhena is put upon by her family but remains unselfish; the custom of marrying the eldest daughter first dictates family dynamics.
- Birth Formulae
The formula absolves parents of responsibility for their children's existence and defects, inverting typical family obligations.
- XIX: The World of the Unborn
The chapter critiques the arbitrary and often harmful nature of parent-child relationships, with the unborn forced to 'pester' random adults who may be unsympathetic or abusive.
- XX: What They Mean by It
The narrator contrasts Erewhonian parent-child relations with European ones, noting less affection and attributing it to parental forgetfulness of youth.
