# Eddie Fislinger — Elmer Gantry character guide > Eddie Fislinger in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Edward Fislinger, Brother Fislinger **First appearance:** 0003-chapter-i ## Snapshot A pious, twitchy seminarian whose fervent prayers and narrow certainties make him Elmer's earnest foil and occasional victim. ## Who they are Eddie wants to save souls and cannot stop himself from counting them, a small-town zealot whose sincerity curdles into self-righteousness. He clings to Elmer as a friend and example even as Elmer privately mocks everything Eddie holds sacred. His earnestness throws Elmer's cynicism into relief and shows how easily genuine faith becomes another form of vanity. ## Relationships ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _rivalry_ Eddie is a sanctimonious fellow student and later rival preacher who competes with Elmer for religious influence and status. ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _rivalry_ Eddie is a sanctimonious fellow student and later rival preacher who competes with Elmer for religious influence and status. ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _rivalry_ Eddie is a sanctimonious fellow student and later rival preacher who competes with Elmer for religious influence and status. ## In the story ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/elmer-gantry) Introduced as a devout and earnest classmate, whose piety contrasts with Elmer's cynicism. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-i) A zealous student preacher leading the street meeting, who tries to convert Elmer and Jim. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) A meager, pious, and ambitious student who initially opposes Elmer's re-election but is easily intimidated into submission. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) Leads a street-corner revival meeting in Cato, is heckled, and attempts to convert Elmer after Elmer defends him. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-ii) Eddie organizes all-day prayer meetings and leads the effort to secure Elmer's conversion, seeing himself as a future prophet. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) A zealous student who organizes prayer meetings for Elmer's conversion and is seen as a future prophet among the pious. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) A zealous fellow student who diagnoses Elmer as unconverted and counsels Mrs. Gantry. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Eddie is outmaneuvered in debate by Dr. Lefferts, accused of being a freethinker, and left confused and seeking reassurance. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-iii) Eddie is mentioned as a potential roommate for Elmer after Jim leaves, and is a source of annoyance to Elmer. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) A devout student who praises Roberts and encourages Elmer to attend the meetings, acting as a go-between. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having threatened Elmer about his behavior prior to the meeting. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as a rival and source of pressure for Elmer. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) President of the Y.M.C.A., introduces Elmer and praises him, admitting Elmer has surpassed him in preaching. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-iv) Eddie urges Elmer to become a minister and participates in the prayer meeting, nuzzling against Elmer in a way that Elmer finds repulsive. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Eddie urges Elmer to enter the ministry, envisioning him as president of the Baptist convention. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Eddie is present at the prayer meeting, nuzzling against Elmer and contributing to his discomfort. ### [Chapter V: Ordination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-v) Ordained alongside Elmer; described as meek and inconspicuous. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Ordained alongside Elmer; a fellow student at Mizpah Theological Seminary. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Also being ordained, but is inconspicuous and meek compared to Elmer; receives few congratulations. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Ordained alongside Elmer; answers examination questions eagerly. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-vi) Defends traditional Baptist doctrines, argues for close communion, and insists on the sincerity of most preachers despite Zenz's provocations. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Defends traditional Baptist doctrines, including close communion, and argues for sincerity in preaching. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-vii) Mentioned in comparison to Dean Trosper's hair color. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Mentioned in comparison to Dean Trosper's rusty hair. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-viii) Elmer's classmate who shares his notebook on practical theology with Elmer. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Takes detailed notes on Practical Theology lectures which Elmer borrows for exams. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Encourages Elmer's mockery of Zechlin, calling him lacking in spirituality. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v) Marries Lulu Bains and Floyd Naylor in a grim ceremony. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xi) Elmer encounters Eddie Fislinger, now a pastor in a small Kansas town, and recalls their past. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) An old seminary acquaintance now pastoring a small church in Kansas; he tries to persuade Elmer to return to the ministry. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/eddie_fislinger - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters