The Damnation of Theron Ware · Chapter
XV explained
The revival meetings reach a fever pitch.
What happens
The revival meetings reach a fever pitch. Sister Soulsby and Brother Soulsby captivate the congregation with their singing and preaching, leading many to come forward as 'mourners.' Alice Ware and Levi Gorringe both go to the altar, the latter's conversion surprising many. Theron, however, feels increasingly alienated and ashamed of the emotional spectacle, reading the list of new members but omitting Gorringe's name before fainting from the heat.
Themes in this chapter
Religious Hypocrisy and Doubt
Theron feels shame and humiliation at the revival's emotional excess, doubting the sincerity of the converts and his own role.
Corruption and Manipulation
The Soulsbys use skilled singing and rhetoric to manipulate the congregation's emotions, capturing Octavius with their 'outer skirmish line.'
Characters to notice
- Theron Ware
Feels humiliated and alienated by the revival; reads the list of new members but omits Gorringe's name; faints from the heat.
- Alice Ware
Goes forward to the altar as a mourner, kneeling at the rail.
- Sister Soulsby
Leads the revival with singing and preaching; her powerful presence moves the congregation.
- Brother Soulsby
Sings a duet with Sister Soulsby and speaks briefly; helps lead the revival.
- Levi Gorringe
Goes forward to kneel beside Alice at the altar; his name is omitted from the list of new members read by Theron.
- The Presiding Elder
Speaks temperately after the Soulsbys' singing; announces the benediction after Theron faints.
Key passages
“The spectacle of these silly young 'mourners'—kneeling they knew not why, trembling at they could not tell what, pledging themselves frantically to dogmas and mysteries they knew nothing of, under the influence of a hubbub of outcries as meaningless in their way, and inspiring in much the same way, as the racket of a fife and drum corps—the spectacle saddened and humiliated him now.”
Theron finds the revival's emotional display embarrassing and meaningless, comparing it to a noisy military band.
Highlights Theron's growing alienation from the religious fervor he once embraced.
“The Soulsbys had captured Octavius with their first outer skirmish line.”
The revivalists quickly won over the town with their initial efforts.
Military metaphor underscores the calculated, strategic nature of the revival.