# XVI explained — Elmer Gantry

> Chapter companion for Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

## What happens

Elmer Gantry delivers a sermon at Wellspring Church, recounting a fabricated story about resisting temptation in Paris and promoting the National Association for the Purification of Art and the Press.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion

Elmer's fabricated story of resisting temptation in Paris exemplifies his hypocrisy, as he presents a false image of piety to his congregation.

### Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism

Elmer uses dramatic storytelling and emotional appeals to manipulate his audience, showcasing the performative nature of his evangelism.

## Character check-ins

### Elmer Gantry

Preaches a self-aggrandizing sermon at Wellspring Church, telling a fabricated story of resisting temptation in Paris and promoting the National Association for the Purification of Art and the Press.

### J. E. North

Mentioned as the executive secretary of the National Association for the Purification of Art and the Press, expected to visit Wellspring Church.

## Key lines

> “⁠—and I stood,” Elmer was explaining, in the pulpit of Wellspring Church, “there on the Roo deluh Pay in Paris, filled almost to an intolerable historical appreciation of those aged and historical structures, when suddenly up to me comes a man obviously a Frenchman.”

Elmer, preaching at Wellspring Church, describes standing on the Rue de la Paix in Paris, overwhelmed by historical appreciation, when a Frenchman approaches him.

_Elmer sets the scene for his fabricated story of moral triumph in Paris._

> “I’m going,’ I said, ‘back to my hotel to have dinner with my dear wife, and after that,’ I said, ‘I’m going to do something that you may not regard as interesting but which is my idea of a dandy time! I’m going to read a couple of chapters of the Bible aloud, and say my prayers, and go to bed!”

Elmer claims he told the Frenchman he would return to his hotel, dine with his wife, read the Bible, pray, and go to bed.

_Elmer portrays himself as a devoted husband and pious Christian, reinforcing his self-righteous image._

> “I see that my time is nearly up, but before I close I want to say a word on behalf of the Napap⁠—that great organization, the National Association for the Purification of Art and the Press.”

Elmer concludes his sermon by promoting the National Association for the Purification of Art and the Press.

_Elmer uses his pulpit to endorse a moral purity organization, aligning himself with broader cultural censorship efforts._

## Links

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