Elmer Gantry · Chapter
IX explained
Elmer Gantry, having seduced Lulu Bains during a visit to her family home, panics at the prospect of marriage and convinces her to keep their relationship secret.
What happens
Elmer Gantry, having seduced Lulu Bains during a visit to her family home, panics at the prospect of marriage and convinces her to keep their relationship secret. He then obsessively fantasizes about further encounters, eventually walking to Schoenheim to see her again, where he is welcomed by her father and stays overnight.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer, a seminary student and aspiring preacher, seduces Lulu under the guise of righteousness, then rationalizes his actions and avoids responsibility.
Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Elmer uses his charm and fabricated stories of his 'campaigns for righteousness' to manipulate the Bains family and pursue Lulu.
Gender and Sexuality
Elmer's predatory sexuality and Lulu's vulnerability highlight the power imbalance and double standards of the era.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Elmer seduces Lulu Bains, then fears marriage and manipulates her into silence. He later walks to Schoenheim to see her again.
- Lulu Bains
Lulu is seduced by Elmer, naively hopes for marriage, and agrees to keep their relationship secret.
- Frank Shallard
Frank accompanies Elmer on the handcar return to Babylon, expressing disapproval of Elmer's behavior with Lulu.
- Deacon Bains
Deacon Bains welcomes Elmer into his home, offers him lodging, and is unaware of Elmer's intentions with his daughter.
Key passages
“don’t step your foot out of this house tonight, Brother! You stay right here!”
Deacon Bains insists Elmer stay overnight.
Elmer's plan to stay the night succeeds, enabling further intimacy with Lulu.
“She was in his arms, on the couch, before her father had yawned and coughed up the stairs; she was in his arms, limp, unreasoning, at midnight; after a long stillness in the chilling room, she sat up hastily at two, and fingered her rumpled hair.”
Elmer and Lulu become physically intimate that night.
The seduction occurs quickly after the parents go to bed.
“Oh, I’m frightened! ... But it doesn’t matter. When shall we be married?”
Lulu, frightened, asks Elmer when they will marry.
Lulu assumes their relationship will lead to marriage.
“Hell, I oughtn’t to have gone so far! I thought she’d resist more. Aaah! It wasn’t worth all this risk. Aaaaah! She’s dumm as a cow. Poor little thing!”
Elmer regrets the affair, blaming Lulu for being naive and easy.
Elmer's self-serving rationalization and lack of genuine remorse.
“In his dream he squandered a whole two dollars and a half for a 'livery rig' for the evening, and drove to Schoenheim.”
Elmer fantasizes about renting a carriage to visit Lulu.
His obsessive planning for further encounters.
“He walked to Schoenheim (not in vision now, but in reality), starting at five in the afternoon, carrying a ham sandwich for his supper; walked the railroad track, the cold ties echoing under his heavy tread.”
Elmer actually walks to Schoenheim to see Lulu again.
He acts on his fantasies, walking the railroad track.