Elmer Gantry · Chapter
Chapter III explained
Elmer Gantry experiences a dramatic religious conversion at a revival meeting, leading to his first conversion of another person.
What happens
Elmer Gantry experiences a dramatic religious conversion at a revival meeting, leading to his first conversion of another person. He struggles with doubt and the fear of losing his old habits, while his friend Jim Lefferts moves out in disgust. Elmer is later invited to speak at a Y.M.C.A. meeting by the college president, and he grapples with preparing a sermon while torn between his newfound faith and his former life.
Themes in this chapter
Faith vs. Skepticism
Elmer's conversion is immediately followed by doubt and self-questioning, contrasting his emotional experience with Jim's skeptical rationalism.
Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Elmer's rapid conversion of another person and his focus on the crowd's reaction highlight the performative and manipulative aspects of revivalism.
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer secretly smokes after his conversion and considers the ease of being a preacher who can avoid cross-examination, revealing his hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Elmer undergoes a conversion experience and makes his first conversion of a pimply youth. He later struggles with doubt, smokes in secret, and feels lonely after Jim leaves.
- Jim Lefferts
Jim moves out of their shared room after Elmer's conversion, leaving a note expressing his disdain for Elmer's new path.
- Judson Roberts
Judson Roberts stands with Elmer during the revival meeting and is credited with influencing Elmer's conversion.
- Eddie Fislinger
Eddie is mentioned as a potential roommate for Elmer after Jim leaves, and is a source of annoyance to Elmer.
- Juanita Klauzel
Elmer thinks of Juanita fondly, remembering her support and her ability to handle his drunkenness and roughness.
- Willoughby Quarles
President Quarles welcomes Elmer as a fellow apostle and arranges for him to speak at the Y.M.C.A. meeting.
Key passages
“Ten minutes after his own experience, Elmer made his first conversion. A pimply youth, long known as a poolroom tout, leaped up, his greasy face working, shrieked, “O God, forgive me!” butted in frenzy through the crowd, ran to the mourner’s bench, lay with his mouth frothing in convulsion.”
Shortly after his own conversion, Elmer leads a young pool hall regular to a frenzied confession at the altar.
This shows Elmer's immediate success as an evangelist, but the youth's convulsive reaction suggests emotional manipulation.
“He had no emotion left with which to face walking alone, in a cold and realistic night, down a street not of shining columns but of cottages dumpy amid the bleak snow and unfriendly under the bitter stars.”
After the emotional high of the revival, Elmer feels empty and alone in the harsh, ordinary world.
This contrast between spiritual ecstasy and mundane reality underscores Elmer's doubt.
“I shall live at the College Inn the rest of this year. You can probably get Eddie Fislinger to live with you. You would enjoy it. It has been stimulating to watch you try to be an honest roughneck, but I think it would be almost too stimulating to watch you become a spiritual leader.”
Jim moves out, sarcastically suggesting Elmer room with Eddie Fislinger and expressing disdain for Elmer's new religious path.
Jim's departure marks a turning point, isolating Elmer from his skeptical friend.
“He had, in Public Speaking, never been a failure nor ever for one second interesting.”
Elmer's oratory skills were mediocre and uninspired before his conversion.
This highlights Elmer's lack of genuine intellectual or rhetorical preparation for his new role.
