# Cleo Benham — Elmer Gantry character guide > Cleo Benham in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Cleo **First appearance:** 0023-chapter-iv ## Snapshot The proud, pretty Benham daughter whose shameless longing for Elmer turns a pastoral call into an engagement and a five-thousand-dollar check. ## Who they are Cleo is the sheltered small-town girl whose family money and church standing make her a prize Elmer can hardly believe he has won. When her parents are out at Eastern Star, her naked, unguarded need for him draws a passion he mistakes for love, and he proposes on the spot. Her devotion flatters his sense of power, yet even alone with her he is never quite natural — a small, telling crack in the reformed-preacher pose that the novel will widen. ## Relationships ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _family_ Cleo is Elmer's long-suffering, pious wife who endures his infidelity and neglect while maintaining a respectable household. ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _family_ Cleo is Elmer's long-suffering, pious wife who endures his infidelity and neglect while maintaining a respectable household. ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _family_ Cleo is Elmer's long-suffering, pious wife who endures his infidelity and neglect while maintaining a respectable household. ## In the story ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xix) Nathaniel's daughter, a devout church worker who falls in love with Elmer at first sight. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) The choir leader and daughter of a trustee, she welcomes Elmer to the church and is instantly attracted to him. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) A devout church-worker, aged 27, who plays the organ, leads the choir, and superintends the juvenile Sunday School. She seeks a husband who is a preacher or doctor, and is attracted to Elmer Gantry. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) Daughter of the Benhams; her beauty and poise enchant Elmer, who sees her as a prize. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xx) Supports Elmer by taking him for drives and waiting with the choir; becomes the focus of Elmer's life. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Waits for Elmer with the choir, holds his hand, and is moved to tears by his sermon. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Superintendent of the juvenile Sunday School department; Elmer observes her affectionate and natural way with the children. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Stands hypnotized, speaking in a trance and walking out beside Elmer, deeply affected by his sermon. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vii) Proud of Elmer's welcome, performs a piano solo at the reception. ### [Elmer's Literary Pursuits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/x) Cleo lends Elmer books, but he finds her too well-read to be a suitable companion for his literary explorations. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/xii) Becomes the central focus of Elmer's life. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxi) Engaged to Elmer, marries him in January, supports his career at Conference. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) The object of Elmer's courtship; she is in love with him but he does not feel fully stirred by her. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Found upset by Elmer; accepts his advances and engagement. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Marries Elmer; is rosy and excited during the wedding preparations. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) Cleo is exhausted from wedding preparations and emotionally vulnerable, seeking reassurance from Elmer but struggling to express her needs without provoking his anger. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Cleo is terrified and passive, reluctantly submitting to Elmer's advances and weeping afterward, her modesty mocked by her new husband. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) Cleo finds some happiness in domestic life as the Pastor's Wife, but Elmer is disappointed in her as a lover and largely ignores her, focusing instead on his career. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/viii) Praises Elmer's funeral sermon but is dismissed by him; she manages the Sunday School and church sisters tactfully. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ix) Accompanies Elmer to the Conference, her graciousness and admiration for him bolster his reputation among the clerical politicians. ### [Elmer's Conference Examination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/x) Cleo is present as Elmer condescends to her after his successful examination. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Elmer's wife, who gives birth to their two children and struggles with his demands for passion, ultimately sobbing after his outburst. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxiii) Cleo secures two thousand dollars from her father for their new home in Old Town and furnishes it with taste, though Elmer pressures her and later criticizes her. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Elmer's wife, only belatedly thought of by Elmer after his inspection. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Elmer's wife, who is mentioned as having a headache and is sent home early so Elmer can visit the Rigg home alone. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) Cleo secures two thousand dollars from her father and furnishes the old house with taste, but is misunderstood by Elmer when she questions his remarks about Methodism. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Elmer's wife, criticized by him for both neglecting housework and not helping enough with church work. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) Cleo is the target of Elmer's morning snarls about breakfast and the furnace, bearing the brunt of his Sunday irritability. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxv) Cleo's presence stiffens the Young Married Set; Elmer finds her depressing and lies to her about his social calls. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Cleo is Elmer's wife, whose presence stiffens the Young Married Set into propriety; Elmer finds her depressing and avoids her. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Elmer dismisses his marriage to Cleo, claiming she was never truly married to him. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ix) Tends to Elmer's wound with concern, tries to placate his ego, but is dismissed by him as unappealing. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxvii) Elmer considers her priggish and imagines her death; she remains at home while he travels. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Elmer finds Cleo's solemn presence tiresome and plans to leave her behind while he travels for the Chautauqua engagement. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxx) Elmer's wife, who accompanies him to Europe and admires his preaching, though she is unaware of his inner thoughts. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as Elmer's wife, who has filled his schedule with social engagements. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Elmer on his first European trip. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ix) Cleo is seasick and largely ignored by Elmer during the journey. ### [Elmer and Cleo in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/x) Accompanies Elmer on their trip to London, largely silent as he makes dismissive observations about the city. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/xii) Rides with Elmer on the bus, praises his speech, and expresses surprise at his past difficulties. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/xiii) Gapes into a perfumer's window; interrupts Elmer's transaction with the postcard seller. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/xiv) Elmer's wife; her birthday is mentioned as a potential conflict for Elmer's lecture engagement. ### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxxi) Elmer's wife, criticized by Elmer for being cold and unsupportive, but his mother defends her as suffering from neglect. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Referenced as Elmer's wife who allegedly suspects the affair and threatens to hire detectives. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as neglected by Elmer, described as devout and suffering. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Cleo is Elmer's wife, who is deceived by his excuse about visiting a dying woman. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Rejoices at Elmer's attention and invitation to a concert. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxxiii) Elmer's wife; initially supports him and is relieved by his vindication. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Furiously defends Elmer against the charges. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/cleo_benham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters