Chapter X explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

  Elmer lies to Dean Trosper about Lulu's infidelity to escape his engagement, then drinks and carouses with salesmen while posing as a shoe salesman, highlighting his hypocrisy as a preacher.

• Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism

  Elmer uses his oratorical skills to perform a burlesque sermon for the salesmen, demonstrating his showmanship and ability to manipulate his audience for personal enjoyment.

• Ambition and the Pursuit of Power

  Elmer eagerly accepts the opportunity to preach in Monarch, seeing it as a stepping stone to a larger church and greater influence, reflecting his ambition.

Characters to notice

• Elmer Gantry

  Elmer feels relief after escaping his engagement to Lulu Bains, lies to Dean Trosper about her infidelity, and travels to Monarch where he drinks and socializes with salesmen, performing a burlesque sermon.

• Lulu Bains

  Lulu is the woman Elmer was engaged to; he falsely accuses her of being with another man to break off the relationship, rationalizing that she is better suited to Floyd Naylor.

• Dean Trosper

  Dean Trosper comforts Elmer after his fabricated story, sends him to preach at the Flowerdale Baptist Church in Monarch, and arranges for Frank Shallard to cover Elmer's Easter service.

• Ad Locust

  Ad Locust is a traveling salesman for the Pequot Farm Implement Company who shares bourbon with Elmer on the train and invites him to meet the other salesmen at the Ishawonga Hotel.

• Deacon Eversley

  Deacon Eversley is a lawyer and deacon of the Flowerdale Baptist Church in Monarch, whom Elmer is supposed to meet to arrange his preaching assignment.

Key passages

• “He knew that Dean Trosper’s one sin was reading till late, and he came bursting into the dean’s house at the scandalous hour of eleven.”

  Elmer knew Dean Trosper's only fault was staying up late to read, so he barged into the dean's home at the shockingly late hour of eleven o'clock.

  Elmer uses his knowledge of the dean's habits to stage a dramatic entrance with his fabricated story.

• ““Oh, how wise you were about women, Dean!” he lamented. “A terrible thing has happened! Her father and I have just found my girl in the arms of another man⁠—a regular roué down there.””

  Elmer lamented, 'Dean, you were so right about women! A dreadful thing occurred: her father and I caught my fiancée in the embrace of another man, a real scoundrel down there.'

  Elmer feigns sorrow and praises the dean's wisdom while lying about Lulu's infidelity to break off the engagement.

• ““Guess you must be a newspaperman, Brother,” a voice assailed him.”

  A voice interrupted him, saying, 'I bet you're a newspaper reporter, brother.'

  Ad Locust mistakes Elmer for a journalist due to his note-taking and black suit.

• ““Here’s to the lass in every port, And here’s to the port-wine in every lass, But those tall thoughts don’t matter, sport, For God’s sake, waiter, fill my glass!””

  Elmer toasts: 'To the girl in every harbor, and to the port wine in every girl, but those lofty ideas don't count, friend—for heaven's sake, waiter, refill my glass!'

  Elmer recites a drinking toast to entertain Ad Locust, showcasing his worldly side.

• ““Brethren and Sistern, in the hustle and bustle of daily life you guys certainly do forget the higher and finer things. In what, in all the higher and finer things, in what and by what are we ruled excepting by Love? What is Love?””

  Elmer booms, 'Brothers and sisters, amid the rush of everyday life, you all certainly neglect the nobler things. What governs us in all these finer matters but Love? What is Love?'

  Elmer delivers a burlesque sermon to the salesmen, mocking religious rhetoric while entertaining them.