Elmer Gantry: Analysis of Major Characters
"Elmer Gantry" is a novel that delves into the complexities of its titular character, Elmer Gantry, a charismatic yet morally ambiguous individual who rises through the ranks of religious leadership. Initially a football hero and indifferent student, Elmer's journey into the ministry is marked by opportunism and manipulation, as he navigates a series of relationships with influential women, including the passionate evangelist Sharon Falconer and the troubled Lulu Bains. The narrative contrasts Elmer with characters like Frank Shallard, a principled seminarian who challenges the hypocrisy in organized religion, and Dr. Bruno Zechlin, a skeptical scholar who represents intellectual rigor. Other key figures include the loyal Cleo Benham, whom Elmer marries for ambition rather than love, and Hettie Dowler, whose attempts at blackmail reveal Elmer's moral failings. The story explores themes of ambition, faith, and the often-blurred lines between genuine belief and self-serving manipulation, making it a critical examination of religious fervor and societal morality.
Elmer Gantry: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Sinclair Lewis
First published: 1927
Genre: Novel
Locale: Midwestern United States
Plot: Satire
Time: 1915–1925
Elmer Gantry, a brawny football hero and indifferent scholar at Terwillinger College. After his inadvertent conversion to Christianity, Elmer makes a successful, plagiarized speech that serves him for years. His call to the Baptist ministry is achieved with the aid of whiskey. After two years at Mizpah Theological Seminary, Elmer is given a small church, where he seduces (and forgives) Lulu Bains. Postponing an Easter meeting to drink with friends, he is asked to leave Mizpah. Later, he finds a job as an assistant to evange-list Sharon Falconer, who becomes his lover. After her death, a Methodist bishop helps him become a Methodist preacher. Elmer marries and gradually advances to larger congregations until he reaches the metropolis of Zenith. He remains obsessed with practical results, money, and power. After forming the Committee on Public Morals, Elmer raids Zenith's red light district and acquires a number of honors. Eventually, he decides to unite all the moral organizations in America, with himself as head. As national director of morality, he will dictate what America should say and think. At the novel's end, having survived all misadventures, Elmer looks forward to making America a truly moral nation under his guidance.
Frank Shallard, the son of a Baptist minister and Elmer's fellow student at the seminary. Elmer accuses him of liberalism because he questions the Baptists' self-appointed role as guardians of Christianity. In fact, Frank is a good, decent man who is weakened by doubt. He longs to share with humanity and resents being set apart as a parson. During World War I, he enlists in the Army, then returns to a church in Zenith. When he bravely attacks Prohibition, big business, and hypocrisy in the pulpit, he becomes the antithesis of Elmer Gantry, who sets the stage for his downfall. After Frank speaks out against Fundamentalist influence in the schools and society, he is beaten into blindness by fanatics.
Sharon Falconer, a former stenographer who becomes a charismatic evangelist and Elmer's first real passion. She is beautiful and powerful as well as a shrewd judge of character. She is also delusional, calling herself the right hand of God and declaring that she is above sin. When Sharon invites Elmer to her home in Virginia, she seduces him in an incredible scene, invoking ancient goddesses and offering herself to him before an altar. After she adds faith healing to her repertoire, she buys a New Jersey pier for her summer meetings. During her first service on the pier, Sharon is trapped in an accidental fire. Bearing the cross and oblivious to Elmer's pleas, she urges the congregation to follow her to safety. She dies as Elmer escapes the flames.
Lulu Bains, a deacon's daughter at Elmer's first church. Kittenish Lulu is seduced by Elmer, who later resents her demands. When Lulu becomes pregnant, they announce their engagement, but Elmer arranges for her to be discovered in a compromising situation with another man, whom she is forced to marry. In later years, their attraction is rekindled. Elmer visits her on a pretense, and she becomes his mistress as he rationalizes his infidelity to his wife. After Elmer drops Lulu in favor of Hettie Dowler, she takes to drink.
Cleo Benham, the virginal daughter of one of Elmer's wealthy parishioners. Elmer realizes that she would make a fine wife for a bishop, although she does not excite him. Seized by ambition, he marries her and then loses interest. Cleo remains patient and loyal.
Jim Lefferts, an intelligent freethinker who rooms with Elmer at Terwillinger College and is his only friend. Jim, who does not live up to his promise, is offered as a negative example in Elmer's oft-repeated sermon.
Dr. Bruno Zechlin, a classicist and scholar at Mizpah Theological Seminary. He is admired by Frank Shallard and hated by Elmer. An atheist and sincere doubter, Zechlin counsels Frank to stay in the church in order to liberate it from within. He is forced into retirement by Elmer.
The Reverend Andrew Pengilly, an ascetic small-town pastor. A man of genuine faith, he finds God in nature and in the Bible. He inspires Frank Shallard; later, he hosts Elmer on the lecture circuit. When Elmer boasts of his church programs and growing congregation, the shrewd Pengilly asks, “Why don't you believe in God?”
T. J. Rigg, a famous criminal lawyer and Elmer's parishioner in Zenith. Rigg believes religion is useful in controlling rebellious workers, but he is open-minded and is seldom troubled by his conscience. Elmer believes he can be honest with Rigg, his first real friend since Jim Lefferts. Rigg suggests and supports Elmer's crusade against vice.
Hettie Dowler, a former secretary who approaches Elmer about a job and becomes his second mistress. Hettie and her husband plan to blackmail Elmer and nearly succeed.