# How does Erewhon develop the theme of Inversion of Morality?

> Erewhon by Samuel Butler

## Answer

Erewhon by Samuel Butler develops Inversion of Morality across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The Erewhonians treat physical illness as a crime punishable by law, while moral failings like theft or fraud are treated as illnesses requiring medical care, satirizing Victorian society's arbitrary moral codes.

Erewhonian society treats illness as a crime and crime as a misfortune, inverting conventional moral judgments.

The Erewhonians treat possession of a watch as a crime, inverting the European moral framework where such objects are valued.

Illness is treated as a crime, while moral failings like embezzlement are seen as recoverable ailments.

## Evidence

- [erewhon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/erewhon.md): Erewhonian society treats illness as a crime and crime as a misfortune, inverting conventional moral judgments.
- [vii-first-impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/vii-first-impressions.md): The Erewhonians treat possession of a watch as a crime, inverting the European moral framework where such objects are valued.
- [viii-in-prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/viii-in-prison.md): Illness is treated as a crime, while moral failings like embezzlement are seen as recoverable ailments.
- [ix-to-the-metropolis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/ix-to-the-metropolis.md): Embezzlement is socially acceptable while poverty is criminalized, highlighting the topsy-turvy moral code of Erewhon.
- [x-current-opinions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/x-current-opinions.md): Erewhon inverts Victorian morality: crime is treated as illness requiring medical treatment, while physical illness is hidden and stigmatized.
- [xi-some-erewhonian-trials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xi-some-erewhonian-trials.md): Erewhonian law punishes misfortune and illness as crimes, while rewarding luck and health, reversing conventional moral judgments.
- [xii-malcontents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xii-malcontents.md): Erewhon punishes illness as a crime, inverting conventional moral judgments about health and disease.
- [xiii-the-views-of-the-erewhonians-concerning-death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/erewhon_se/chapters/xiii-the-views-of-the-erewhonians-concerning-death.md): Erewhonians invert conventional moral attitudes: death is less abhorrent than disease, childbirth is treated as a shameful illness, and statues are destroyed after fifty years.

## Links

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