# Deacon Bains — Elmer Gantry character guide

> Deacon Bains in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Bains, Pa Bains

**First appearance:** 0014-chapter-iii

## Who they are

Lulu Bains's father, a deacon in the church.

## In the story

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-vii)

Hosts Elmer and Frank at his farm; introduces Elmer to Lulu.

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

Deacon Bains hosts the dinner, expresses a harsh, exclusive Baptist theology, and pressures the young preachers to eat and conform.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vii)

Deacon Bains hosts the dinner and joins in the festivities, later retreating to the kitchen with the other men for a drink.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/viii)

Retires for the night, leaving Elmer alone in the parlor.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ix)

Deacon Bains welcomes Elmer into his home, offers him lodging, and is unaware of Elmer's intentions with his daughter.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-ix)

Lulu's father, who discovers her with Floyd and later confronts Elmer, forcing him to marry Lulu to protect her honor.

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

Lulu's father, mentioned as being at the doctor's office with his wife; Elmer avoids him after the confrontation.

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

Notices Lulu's changed behavior and confronts her about her relationship with Elmer Gantry after Floyd Naylor reports seeing them together.

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

Confronts Elmer with Floyd Naylor, threatening violence to force marriage to his daughter Lulu; orchestrates the public engagement announcement.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vii)

Discovers Lulu and Floyd kissing, knocks Floyd down, and disowns his daughter in shame.

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

Recalled in comparison to Nathaniel Benham; Elmer's earlier host in Schoenheim.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/deacon_bains
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters