Elmer Gantry · Chapter
VIII explained
Elmer returns home after his successful preaching debut, feeling proud and defiant.
What happens
Elmer returns home after his successful preaching debut, feeling proud and defiant. He confronts Jim Lefferts, who sarcastically dismisses his performance. The next morning, Jim has moved out, leaving a note that he will stay at the College Inn, suggesting Elmer find Eddie Fislinger as a roommate. Elmer is left alone and angry.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer's pride in his manipulative preaching ability and Jim's critique of his insincerity highlight the theme of religious hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Returns home proudly after his preaching success, confronts Jim, and is left alone when Jim moves out.
- Jim Lefferts
Sarcastically dismisses Elmer's preaching, moves out the next morning, leaving a note.
Key passages
“Just what right has Mr. James B. Lefferts got to tell me I mustn’t use my ability to get a crowd going? And I certainly had ’em going! Never knew I could spiel like that. Easy as feetball!”
Elmer feels entitled to use his talent for captivating an audience, boasting about his natural skill.
Elmer's self-justification and pride in his oratory.
“I shall live at the College Inn the rest of this year. You can probably get Eddie Fislinger to live with you. You would enjoy it. It has been stimulating to watch you try to be an honest roughneck, but I think it would be almost too stimulating to watch you become a spiritual leader.”
Jim announces he is moving out, suggesting Elmer room with Eddie Fislinger, and sarcastically comments on Elmer's transformation from a roughneck to a spiritual leader.
Jim's final judgment on Elmer's character and his departure.