# Ira Hinkley — Arrowsmith character guide

> Ira Hinkley in Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Reverend Ira Hinkley, Ira, Hinkley

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

A sanctimonious medical student who later becomes a preacher.

## Relationships

### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith)

_social_

Ira Hinkley is a sanctimonious, hypocritical medical student and religious zealot who frequently clashes with Martin's secular views.

### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith)

_social_

Ira Hinkley is a sanctimonious, hypocritical medical student and religious zealot who frequently clashes with Martin's secular views.

### [Martin Arrowsmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/martin_arrowsmith)

_social_

Ira Hinkley is a sanctimonious, hypocritical medical student and religious zealot who frequently clashes with Martin's secular views.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iv)

Martin's dissecting partner, a medical missionary who tries to convert Martin with boisterous optimism and faith.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v)

Pious medical student who pressures Martin to join Digamma Pi for moral influence.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

Ira is a moral pest at the fraternity, constantly reproving others for profanity and smoking. He cites dubious statistics about clean living, provoking Martin's disgust.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii)

Witnesses the prank and threatens to expose Clif, but is shut down by Angus.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v)

Reads out likely exam questions to the Freshmen in the Digam living-room.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

One of the Digams annoyed by Martin's doubts; Martin contrasts Gottlieb's scientific devotion with Hinkley's religiosity.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii)

Walks alone, troubled by the killing of animals in the experiment.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

Gloats with holy satisfaction at Martin's captivity in church.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned among the Good Students who admire Martin's renewed dedication.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as a future medical missionary among the students discussing their plans.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/ii)

Referenced in comparison to Pickerbaugh's use of statistics.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii)

A fanatical missionary and Martin's old classmate, visits to preach and warn about sin.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/chapters/iii)

Appears before the Board to denounce Martin and Gottlieb, but later dies of plague after nursing his congregation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters/ira_hinkley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/arrowsmith_se/characters