Elmer Gantry · Chapter
Chapter IX explained
Elmer Gantry's relationship with Frank Shallard deteriorates as Elmer accuses Frank of liberal doubts and forces him to resign his pastorate.
What happens
Elmer Gantry's relationship with Frank Shallard deteriorates as Elmer accuses Frank of liberal doubts and forces him to resign his pastorate. Meanwhile, Elmer grows tired of Lulu Bains' devotion and manipulates her into a relationship with Floyd Naylor, only to expose them in a compromising position to Deacon Bains. Elmer is then confronted by Bains and Naylor, who force him to agree to marry Lulu to protect her reputation.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer uses his religious position to manipulate and exploit others, accusing Frank of doubt while engaging in deceit and coercion himself.
Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Elmer orchestrates a complex scheme to trap Lulu and Floyd, using his charm and authority to control the situation and avoid personal responsibility.
Gender and Sexuality
Lulu's desires are portrayed as a burden to Elmer, and her sexuality is used against her to enforce a marriage, reflecting double standards of the era.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Manipulates Frank Shallard into resigning, grows weary of Lulu Bains, and orchestrates a trap to force her into marriage with Floyd Naylor, only to be compelled to marry her himself.
- Frank Shallard
Confronts Elmer about his behavior with Lulu and his doubts, but is outmaneuvered and forced to resign his pastorate at Schoenheim.
- Lulu Bains
Devoted to Elmer but becomes desperate as he withdraws affection; she is manipulated into a compromising situation with Floyd Naylor and later forced into an engagement with Elmer.
- Floyd Naylor
Cousin of Lulu, manipulated by Elmer into pursuing Lulu; he is caught kissing her and later helps force Elmer to agree to marriage.
- Deacon Bains
Lulu's father, who discovers her with Floyd and later confronts Elmer, forcing him to marry Lulu to protect her honor.
Key passages
“I’ve been waiting for this! I’m impulsive—sure; I make bad mistakes—every red-blooded man does. But what about you? I don’t know how far you’ve gone with your hellish doubts, but I’ve been listening to the hedging way you answer questions in Sunday School, and I know you’re beginning to wabble.”
Elmer deflects Frank's accusations by attacking Frank's own orthodoxy, claiming Frank's doubts make him unfit for ministry.
Elmer uses a classic deflection tactic, turning the tables on Frank by accusing him of being a liberal.
“He felt injured. Nobody could ever say he was unkind to girls or despised ’em, the way Jim Lefferts used to. He’d taught Lulu an awful lot; got her over her hick ideas; showed her how a person could be religious and still have a good time, if you just looked at it right and saw that while you ought to teach the highest ideals, nobody could be expected to always and exactly live up to ’em every day.”
Elmer rationalizes his mistreatment of Lulu, believing he has been generous and educational, while feeling put upon by her emotional needs.
This reveals Elmer's self-serving justification for his behavior, viewing himself as a benefactor rather than an exploiter.
“Gantry, I want you to take your footsteps right now and turn ’em toward my house! You’ve been fooling with my daughter, and either you’re going to marry her, or Floyd and me are going to take it out of your hide, and way I feel just now, don’t much care which it is.”
Deacon Bains confronts Elmer with the threat of violence, demanding he marry Lulu to avoid a scandal.
The confrontation underscores the coercive power of family and community honor in rural religious settings.