# XIII explained — Elmer Gantry

> Chapter companion for Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Elmer and Cleo visit Paris, where Elmer's hypocrisy is exposed when he is tempted by obscene postcards but publicly rebukes the seller to maintain his ministerial facade.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

Elmer's private interest in obscene postcards contrasts sharply with his public outrage as a minister, highlighting his hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### Elmer Gantry

Stands impatiently on Rue de la Paix while Cleo shops; is tempted by obscene postcards but rebukes the seller when Cleo appears.

### Cleo Benham

Gapes into a perfumer's window; interrupts Elmer's transaction with the postcard seller.

## Key lines

> He stood impatiently on a corner of the Rue de la Paix, while Cleo gaped into the window of a perfumer.

Elmer waited restlessly on a Paris street corner as Cleo admired perfume displays.

_Establishes Elmer's impatience and Cleo's fascination with luxury goods._

> A little greasy man edged up to him, covertly sliding toward him a pack of postcards, and whispered, 'Lovely cards—only two francs each.'

A seedy vendor approached Elmer and discreetly offered him a pack of postcards for two francs each.

_Introduces the temptation and the illicit nature of the transaction._

> Then Elmer saw the topmost card and he was galvanized. 'Whee! Golly! Two francs apiece?' He seized the pack, gloating—But Cleo was suddenly upon him, and he handed back the cards, roaring, 'You get out of here or I'll call a cop! Trying to sell obscene pictures—and to a minister of the gospel! Cleo, these Europeans have dirty minds!'

Elmer was excited by the cards and grabbed them eagerly, but when Cleo appeared, he pretended to be outraged and threatened to call the police, blaming Europeans for having dirty minds.

_Highlights Elmer's hypocrisy and quick shift from lust to moral indignation._

## Links

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