Elmer Gantry · Chapter
Chapter VI explained
Elmer Gantry and Jim Lefferts, after a night of drinking in Cato, stumble upon a street-corner religious meeting led by Eddie Fislinger.
What happens
Elmer Gantry and Jim Lefferts, after a night of drinking in Cato, stumble upon a street-corner religious meeting led by Eddie Fislinger. Elmer, in a drunken and pugnacious state, defends Eddie from hecklers, leading to a brawl that draws police attention. Eddie attempts to convert Elmer publicly, but Elmer and Jim flee the scene, though Elmer is haunted by his religious upbringing and fears of damnation.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer's drunken defense of Eddie and his subsequent flight from conversion highlight the hypocrisy of his religious posturing.
Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Eddie Fislinger uses Elmer's violent intervention as a testimonial to manipulate the crowd and pressure Elmer into conversion.
Faith vs. Skepticism
Elmer's internal conflict between his fear of religion and his skepticism is evident as he grapples with Eddie's appeals.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Gets drunk and belligerent, defends Eddie Fislinger in a street fight, then flees when Eddie tries to convert him publicly.
- Jim Lefferts
Accompanies Elmer, tries to restrain him from the fight, and later urges him to escape Eddie's conversion attempt.
- Eddie Fislinger
Leads a street-corner revival meeting in Cato, is heckled, and attempts to convert Elmer after Elmer defends him.
- Juanita Klauzel
Mentioned as the object of Elmer's misogynistic reflections earlier in the chapter.
Key passages
“He was in that most blissful condition to which a powerful young man can attain—unrighteous violence in a righteous cause.”
Elmer felt a thrilling sense of justified aggression, believing his violent actions were morally right.
Highlights Elmer's self-deception and enjoyment of violence under the guise of righteousness.
“Though he detested Eddie's sappiness, though he might have liked to share drinks with the lively young baker-heckler, there was no really good unctuous violence to be had except by turning champion of religion.”
Despite disliking Eddie and sympathizing with the heckler, Elmer saw that the only satisfying fight available was to defend religion.
Reveals Elmer's pragmatic and opportunistic approach to violence and religion.
“The church, full thirty dizzy feet up to its curiously carven rafters, and the preachers, so overwhelming in their wallowing voices, so terrifying in their pictures of little boys who stole watermelons or indulged in biological experiments behind barns.”
Elmer's childhood memories of church were of awe-inspiring architecture and preachers who frightened him with tales of sin.
Illustrates Elmer's deep-seated fear and resentment of religious authority from his youth.