Chapter XVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Faith vs. Skepticism

  Frank's internal conflict between his faith and the doubts raised by Lem Staples and his own observations of church hypocrisy.

• Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

  Frank perceives that a preacher can be a scoundrel or hypocrite and still be accepted, and that many church members are either ignorant or seeking respectability.

• Critique of Religious Institutions

  The chapter critiques the church's failure to engage intelligent and working-class people, and the emptiness of many sermons.

Characters to notice

• Frank Shallard

  Frank is the central figure of the chapter, grappling with his doubts about the ministry and his faith, seeking guidance from Father Pengilly.

• Lem Staples

  The village atheist who challenges Frank's beliefs and questions the composition of church congregations.

• Mr. Pengilly

  An elderly, mystical minister who mentors Frank, teaching him the practice of the presence of God and finding God in nature.

• Bess Shallard

  Bess is introduced as Frank's future wife, a cheerful and practical woman who marries him and supports his ministry.

• Dean Trosper

  Dean Trosper is mentioned as a bullying figure from the seminary who serves God with vinegar, influencing Frank's perception of the ministry.

• Bruno Zechlin

  Frank is noted as a pupil of Bruno Zechlin, indicating his scholarly background.

Key passages

• “a preacher can be a scoundrel or a hypocrite and still be accepted by his congregation.”

  Frank realizes that a minister can be dishonest or immoral yet still be embraced by his church community.

  This reflects Frank's growing disillusionment with the church's tolerance of hypocrisy.

• “He concluded, in fact, that if there was any value in churches and a ministry, of which he was not very certain, in any case there could be no value in himself as a minister.”

  Frank doubts the worth of churches and the ministry, and feels he himself is unfit to be a minister.

  Highlights Frank's crisis of vocation and faith.

• “So Frank Shallard, pupil of Bruno Zechlin, said nervously to an examining cleric that, yes, he did believe that baptism by immersion was appointed by God himself, as the only valid way of beginning a righteous life; that, yes, unrepentant sinners would go to a literal Hell; that, yes, these unrepentant sinners included all persons who did not go to evangelical churches if they had the chance; and that, yes, the Maker of a universe with stars a hundred thousand light-years apart was interested, furious, and very personal about it if a small boy played baseball on Sunday afternoon.”

  Frank lies during his ordination exam, affirming doctrines he does not believe to avoid disappointing his father.

  Illustrates the pressure to conform and the dishonesty Frank feels compelled to practice.

• “He saw one Lem Staples, a jovial horse-doctor who was known as the Village Atheist, sitting on a decayed carriage seat in front of the Fashion Livery Barn.”

  Frank encounters Lem Staples, the local atheist, who challenges his beliefs.

  Introduces the character who will provoke Frank's doubts.

• “Then can you tell me why it is that nine-tenths of the really sure-enough on-the-job membership of the churches is made up of two classes: the plumb ignorant, that’re scared of hell and that swallow any fool doctrine, and, second, the awful respectable folks that play the church so’s to seem more respectable?”

  Lem Staples asks Frank why most active church members are either ignorant or using the church for social status.

  A direct challenge to the church's composition and Frank's beliefs.

• “He had humor, as well, Father Pengilly. He could smile over the cranks in the congregation. And he liked the village atheist, Doc Lem Staples.”

  Father Pengilly has a sense of humor and even befriends the local atheist, showing his open-mindedness.

  Contrasts Pengilly's tolerant approach with Frank's earlier disdain for Staples.