Elmer Gantry · Chapter
Chapter II explained
Following Elmer Gantry's public profession of religion, the pious students of Terwillinger College, led by Eddie Fislinger, launch an intense campaign to secure his conversion.
What happens
Following Elmer Gantry's public profession of religion, the pious students of Terwillinger College, led by Eddie Fislinger, launch an intense campaign to secure his conversion. Jim Lefferts struggles to counteract this influence, while Elmer's past religious upbringing in the Baptist Church of Paris, Kansas, is explored, showing how deeply the church has shaped his emotions and worldview.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Dr. Lefferts feigns piety to mock Eddie Fislinger, revealing the performative nature of religious expression.
Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Eddie Fislinger and other students use intense prayer meetings and emotional pressure to manipulate Elmer into conversion.
Faith vs. Skepticism
The chapter contrasts Jim Lefferts' skeptical arguments with the fervent faith of Eddie and the college community.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Elmer is the target of a concerted religious campaign after his public profession of religion, struggling between his old ways and the pressure to convert.
- Jim Lefferts
Jim fiercely tries to keep Elmer from succumbing to religious fervor, arguing against faith and using skeptical literature.
- Eddie Fislinger
Eddie organizes all-day prayer meetings and leads the effort to secure Elmer's conversion, seeing himself as a future prophet.
- Dr. Lefferts
Jim's father, a physician and atheist, visits and engages Eddie in a deceptive conversation about faith, mocking religious piety.
- President Quarles
President Quarles shows approval of Elmer's conversion, greeting him warmly on the street.
- Mrs. Gantry
Elmer's mother is mentioned as a pious influence, worried about his behavior and praying for him.
Key passages
“No revival but had flung its sulphur-soaked arrows at them—usually in their absence.”
Every revival meeting had targeted them with fiery condemnation, though they were rarely present.
Highlights the ongoing religious pressure on Elmer and Jim.
“He organized an all-day and all-night prayer-meeting on Elmer’s behalf, and it was attended by the more ardent, even at the risk of receiving cuts and uncivil remarks from instructors.”
Eddie arranged a continuous prayer meeting for Elmer, drawing the most devout students despite potential academic penalties.
Shows the intensity of the campaign to convert Elmer.
“Jim did well to dread. Elmer had always been in danger of giving up his favorite diversions—not exactly giving them up, perhaps, but of sweating in agony after enjoying them.”
Jim was right to worry; Elmer often felt guilty after indulging in his pleasures, making him vulnerable to religious influence.
Explains Elmer's susceptibility to conversion.
“The church, the Sunday School, the evangelistic orgy, choir-practise, raising the mortgage, the delights of funerals, the snickers in back pews or in the other room at weddings—they were as natural, as inescapable a mold of manners to Elmer as Catholic processionals to a street gamin in Naples.”
Church activities were so ingrained in Elmer's life that they shaped his behavior as naturally as Catholic rituals shape a Neapolitan street child.
Illustrates the deep cultural influence of the church on Elmer.
