# Chapter XI explained — Elmer Gantry

> Chapter companion for Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Elmer Gantry, now a traveling salesman for the Pequot Company, reflects on his life and his longing to return to preaching. He encounters Eddie Fislinger's church and later attends a revival meeting led by the charismatic Sharon Falconer, where he is captivated by her presence and resolves to join her evangelistic team.

## Themes in this chapter

### Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism

Elmer's speech is crafted with structure and emotional manipulation, and Sharon Falconer's revival meeting is a theatrical performance designed to captivate the audience.

### Ambition and the Pursuit of Power

Elmer's desire to return to preaching and his determination to win Sharon Falconer reflect his ambition for power and influence.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

Elmer's burlesque sermons and his critical view of other ministers highlight the hypocrisy within religious circles.

## Character check-ins

### Elmer Gantry

Now a traveling salesman, Elmer feels a growing desire to return to preaching and is captivated by Sharon Falconer.

### Eddie Fislinger

Elmer encounters Eddie Fislinger, now a pastor in a small Kansas town, and recalls their past.

### Sharon Falconer

Sharon Falconer leads a revival meeting, captivating Elmer with her presence and preaching.

### Cecil Aylston

Cecil Aylston, Sharon's first assistant, reads the Scripture lesson and dismisses Elmer's advances.

## Key lines

> Elmer Gantry was twenty-eight and for two years he had been a traveling salesman for the Pequot Company.

At twenty-eight, Elmer had spent two years as a traveling salesman for the Pequot Company.

_Establishes Elmer's current occupation and age._

> He was going to have Sharon Falconer.

He resolved to win Sharon Falconer for himself.

_Highlights Elmer's immediate goal and attraction to Sharon._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters