Elmer Gantry · Chapter
Chapter VII explained
Elmer Gantry and Frank Shallard are assigned by Dean Trosper to serve a small country church in Schoenheim.
What happens
Elmer Gantry and Frank Shallard are assigned by Dean Trosper to serve a small country church in Schoenheim. Elmer is thrilled by his first real appointment and uses the opportunity to pursue Lulu Bains, a young woman he finds attractive. He attempts to balance his pastoral duties with his personal desires, while Frank struggles with his shyness around rural congregations.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Elmer’s public vindication through Hettie’s confession and the immediate offers of prestigious positions mark…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hypocrisy and Corruption in Religion
Elmer uses his pastoral role to pursue personal romantic interests, showing the gap between his pious public image and private desires.
- Manipulation and Showmanship in Evangelism
Elmer crafts his sermons to impress the congregation and manipulate Lulu's perception of him as both a prophet and a desirable man.
- Gender and Sexuality
Elmer's predatory pursuit of Lulu reflects the power dynamics between male clergy and young women in the congregation.
Characters to notice
- Elmer Gantry
Assigned to Schoenheim church; begins pursuing Lulu Bains; feels exhilarated by his first real appointment.
- Frank Shallard
Sent to Schoenheim to assist with Sunday School; struggles with shyness around rural audiences.
- Lulu Bains
Young woman Elmer pursues; helps decorate church for Thanksgiving; appears innocent and flattered by Elmer's attention.
- Eddie Fislinger
Mentioned in comparison to Dean Trosper's hair color.
- Deacon Bains
Hosts Elmer and Frank at his farm; introduces Elmer to Lulu.
- Floyd Naylor
Mentioned as Lulu's second cousin and slow companion.
Key passages
“I have an appointment which should give you experience and a little extra money. It's a country church down at Schoenheim, eleven miles from here, on the spur line of the Ontario, Omaha and Pittsburgh.”
Dean Trosper assigns Elmer to a small rural church in Schoenheim, offering him practical experience and a modest stipend.
This marks Elmer's first real pastoral appointment, a key step in his career.
“He looked down at her thirstily. His excitement at having played his sermon to such applause was nothing beside his excitement over the fact that he would have her near him in his future clerical labors.”
Elmer's attraction to Lulu Bains overshadows his pride in his sermon, revealing his ulterior motives for the ministry.
Highlights Elmer's prioritization of personal desire over spiritual duty.
“Oh, I was joking. I just meant—be a shame if as lovely a girl as you weren't engaged. I suppose you are engaged, of course?”
Elmer backtracks from his flirtatious comment, pretending it was a joke to avoid alarming Lulu.
Shows Elmer's manipulative tactics in his pursuit of Lulu.
