Elmer Gantry · Chapter
XV explained
Elmer Gantry, walking alone on deck late at night, experiences a transformative epiphany: he envisions uniting all moral organizations in America under his leadership, aiming to become the most powerful man in the nation, perhaps the world.
What happens
Elmer Gantry, walking alone on deck late at night, experiences a transformative epiphany: he envisions uniting all moral organizations in America under his leadership, aiming to become the most powerful man in the nation, perhaps the world. He resolves to use his position to manipulate J. E. North and secure a church in New York as a stepping stone to ultimate power.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and the Pursuit of Power
Elmer's vision of uniting moral organizations to become the 'emperor of America' exemplifies his unchecked ambition and desire for absolute control.
Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer's plan to manipulate religious and moral organizations for personal power reveals the hypocrisy underlying his evangelical facade.
Critique of Religious Institutions
The chapter critiques the potential for religious institutions to be co-opted for authoritarian and self-serving purposes.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Elmer conceives his Great Idea to unite moral organizations and become the dictator of America, reflecting on his past and future ambitions.
- J. E. North
Elmer plans to manipulate J. E. North as a stepping stone to achieve his goals.
- Jim Lefferts
Elmer recalls Jim Lefferts' attempt to dissuade him from becoming a preacher.
Key passages
“He would combine in one association all the moral organizations in America—perhaps, later, in the entire world.”
Elmer plans to merge all moral groups into a single global organization under his control.
This marks the birth of Elmer's Great Idea for a unified moral authority.
“I’m going to be the emperor of America—maybe of the world.”
Elmer declares his intention to become the supreme ruler of America and potentially the world.
Elmer's megalomania is fully revealed in this statement.
“The first step is to kid this J. E. North along, and do whatever he wants me to—until it comes time to kick him out—and get a church in New York.”
Elmer's initial plan is to deceive J. E. North and use him to secure a prestigious church in New York before discarding him.
Elmer's manipulative strategy for climbing the religious hierarchy.