# VII explained — Elmer Gantry

> Chapter companion for Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Judson Roberts, a former football star and Y.M.C.A. secretary, reflects on Elmer Gantry's conversion while traveling to Concordia, Kansas. He struggles with doubts about his faith and evangelistic work, even considering leaving for a real estate job.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith vs. Skepticism

Judson Roberts internally wrestles with doubt about the reality of religious conversion and the Holy Ghost, contrasting his public evangelistic role with private uncertainty.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

Judson smokes an illegal cigarette in secret while serving as a Y.M.C.A. secretary, highlighting the gap between his public piety and private actions.

## Character check-ins

### Judson Roberts

State secretary of the Y.M.C.A., former football star, traveling to Concordia, Kansas; privately doubts his faith and considers quitting for real estate.

### Elmer Gantry

Mentioned in Judson's thoughts as the subject of his conversion, viewed skeptically by Judson.

## Key lines

> Judson Roberts, ex-football-star, state secretary of the Y.M.C.A. , was on the train to Concordia, Kansas. In the vestibule he had three puffs of an illegal cigarette and crushed it out.

Judson Roberts, a former football star and Y.M.C.A. state secretary, traveled to Concordia, Kansas, and secretly smoked part of a cigarette in the train vestibule before stubbing it out.

_Introduces Judson's character and his covert indulgence in a forbidden habit._

> Suppose there isn't anything to it. Won't hurt him to cut out some of his bad habits for a while, anyway. And how do we know? Maybe the Holy Ghost does come down. No more improbable than electricity.

Judson speculates that even if Elmer's conversion is insincere, it might still curb his vices temporarily, and he admits that the Holy Ghost's descent is as plausible as electricity.

_Reveals Judson's skeptical yet open-minded internal debate about religious experience._

> I do wish I could get over this doubting! I forget it when I've got 'em going in an evangelistic meeting, but when I watch a big butcher like him, with that damn silly smirk on his jowls⁠—I believe I'll go into the real estate business.

Judson laments his persistent doubt, which fades during evangelistic meetings but returns when he observes Elmer's smug demeanor, prompting him to consider quitting for real estate.

_Highlights Judson's crisis of faith and his desire for a more honest livelihood._

## Links

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