# Dr. Mahlon Potts — Elmer Gantry character guide

> Dr. Mahlon Potts in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Dr. Potts

**First appearance:** 0057-chapter-x

## Who they are

A fellow minister and rival of Elmer's.

## In the story

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

Dr. Potts is a pompous, respectable preacher with the largest congregation in Zenith, known for flowery sermons and safe orthodoxy.

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

Criticized by Frank as a scholarly but insulated preacher who has no real understanding of human beings.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i)

Criticized by Frank as a scholarly but insulated preacher who has no real understanding of human beings and their struggles.

## Links

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