# Chapter XXXI explained — Elmer Gantry

> Chapter companion for Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Elmer's mother visits and criticizes his treatment of Cleo, leading to a tense confrontation. Elmer's fame grows as he is considered for the Yorkville Methodist Church and the Napap leadership. He hires Hettie Dowler as his secretary and breaks off his affair with Lulu Bains, who becomes despondent. Elmer leads a campaign against Sunday movies in Zenith.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

Elmer prays for his mother's understanding while privately wishing Cleo would die so he can marry Hettie, revealing his duplicity.

### Ambition and the Pursuit of Power

Elmer's drive for fame and leadership in the Napap and Yorkville Church overshadows his personal relationships and moral integrity.

### Gender and Sexuality

Elmer's manipulation of Lulu Bains and his affair with Hettie Dowler highlight the exploitation of women in his pursuit of pleasure and power.

## Character check-ins

### Elmer Gantry

Struggles with his mother's criticism of his marriage, pursues fame and the Yorkville pastorate, hires Hettie Dowler, and ends his affair with Lulu Bains.

### Cleo Benham

Elmer's wife, criticized by Elmer for being cold and unsupportive, but his mother defends her as suffering from neglect.

### Mrs. Gantry

Elmer's mother, visits and confronts him about his treatment of Cleo and his relationship with his secretary.

### Hettie Dowler

A young woman who impresses Elmer at church and is hired as his secretary, beginning a close relationship.

### Lulu Bains

Elmer's former lover, heartbroken when he ends their affair due to Cleo's suspicions, becomes despondent.

### J. E. North

Head of the Napap, delays his resignation but recommends Elmer to lead the Sunday movie fight.

## Key lines

> Elmer Gantry! Will you hold your tongue and stop being such a wonderful success?

Elmer's mother scolds him for his arrogance and neglect of Cleo.

_She criticizes his self-importance and lack of attention to his wife._

> O God, why can’t Cleo die, so I can marry Hettie!

Elmer prays for his wife's death to pursue his affair.

_Reveals his selfishness and hypocrisy despite his religious role._

> Lulu, I’ve got something dreadful to tell you. In spite of our carefulness, Cleo— Mrs. Gantry—is onto us.

Elmer ends his affair with Lulu, blaming Cleo's suspicions.

_He manipulates Lulu into accepting the breakup to protect his reputation._

## Links

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