Elmer Gantry · Chapter
Chapter XXV explained
Elmer Gantry, now pastor of Wellspring Methodist Church in Zenith, navigates his social life among the Young Married Set, dancing and drinking while maintaining a pious facade.
What happens
Elmer Gantry, now pastor of Wellspring Methodist Church in Zenith, navigates his social life among the Young Married Set, dancing and drinking while maintaining a pious facade. His marriage to Cleo grows strained. He encounters Lulu Bains and Floyd Naylor, now married, and reconciles with them, but his old attraction to Lulu resurfaces, leading him to visit her alone.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer preaches against sin while secretly dancing, drinking, and pursuing married women, embodying religious hypocrisy.
Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Elmer manipulates his congregation's perception, using charm and selective honesty to maintain his reputation.
Gender and Sexuality
Elmer's attraction to Beryl Gilson and Lulu Bains highlights the tension between his public piety and private desires.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Elmer dances with the Young Married Set, struggles with his attraction to Beryl Gilson, and reconnects with Lulu Bains and Floyd Naylor, manipulating the situation to arrange a private visit with Lulu.
- Cleo Benham
Cleo's presence stiffens the Young Married Set; Elmer finds her depressing and lies to her about his social calls.
- Lulu Bains
Lulu, now married to Floyd Naylor, visits Elmer's church; she is still attracted to him and blushes at his attention.
- Floyd Naylor
Floyd, now a garage owner and married to Lulu, explains the misunderstanding at the picnic and reconciles with Elmer.
- Beryl Gilson
A young married woman in the church, Beryl Gilson attracts Elmer with her 'dove-smooth shoulders,' but he resists temptation.
- T. J. Rigg
Elmer visits T. J. Rigg for relaxation and information about contributors.
Key passages
“He was light-footed still, for all his weight, and there was electricity in his grasp as his hands curled about his partner’s waist.”
Despite his bulk, Elmer danced nimbly and his touch was charged with sensuality.
Shows Elmer's physical charisma and latent sexuality.
“She could never learn, not after ten efforts a day, that she could not keep him from saying “Damn!” by looking hurt and murmuring, “Oh, Elmer, how can you?””
Cleo's constant disapproval failed to curb Elmer's swearing.
Illustrates the growing rift in their marriage.
“He was hungry for brisk companionship, and it was altogether depressing now to be with Cleo.”
Elmer craved lively company and found Cleo's presence stifling.
Highlights Elmer's dissatisfaction with his marriage.
“By divine inspiration Elmer was led to look as though he were wounded clear to the heart at the revived memory of that unfortunate last seeing.”
Elmer feigned a hurt expression to manipulate Lulu and Floyd.
Demonstrates Elmer's showmanship and deceit.
“He saw that Lulu wasn’t missing one of his dulcet and sinuous phrases; so different from Floyd’s rustic blurting.”
Lulu was captivated by Elmer's smooth, polished speech compared to Floyd's crude manner.
Shows Lulu's lingering attraction to Elmer.
