Erewhon Revisited
What is Erewhon Revisited about?
Erewhon Revisited (1901) is Samuel Butler’s sequel to Erewhon. The original traveller returns to the hidden civilization twenty years later to discover that his departure by balloon has been transformed into a religious myth—he is now worshipped as the “Sunchild” who ascended to heaven. Butler uses this premise to deliver a devastating satire on the origins of religion, the manufacture of belief, and the vested interests of a priestly class. The novel is both a comic adventure and a serious philosophical inquiry into how myths become dogma.
Main themes in Erewhon Revisited
Religious satire
The theme of religious satire weaves through Erewhon Revisited, adding depth to its narrative.
Origins of myth
Origins of myth emerges as a defining element in Erewhon Revisited, shaping character development.
Manufactured belief
In Erewhon Revisited, manufactured belief provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Priestly power
In Erewhon Revisited, priestly power provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Why Erewhon Revisited is still relevant today
Erewhon Revisited’s satire on the origins of religious belief remains provocative and thought-provoking. Read it free online on TextStack.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Erewhon Revisited about?
The traveller returns to Erewhon to find his balloon departure has become a religious myth, and he is worshipped as a god. Butler satirizes how myths become organized religion.
Where can I read Erewhon Revisited online?
You can read Erewhon Revisited by Samuel Butler free online on TextStack.