Chapter XI
Sharon Falconer leads a revival meeting, captivating Elmer with her presence and preaching.
I
A beautiful and charismatic woman evangelist whose meeting captivates Elmer; she is described as a saintly figure with a warm, husky voice.
II
Sharon reveals a private, mocking side to Elmer, showing fatigue with her public role and a willingness to engage with him on a personal level.
III
Dressed in white crash bordered with blue, she meets Elmer for breakfast and enthusiastically collaborates on the false testimonial plan. She dismisses Cecil Aylston's interruption.
IV
Evangelist who hires Cecil Aylston as her assistant; he refines her preaching and personal style.
V
Curt and efficient on the phone, then at dinner she is frustrated with local preachers and bonds with Elmer over their shared humble backgrounds.
Chapter VI
Praises Elmer's speech but rebuffs his advances; declares herself sanctified and above sin, claiming divine visions.
Chapter XII
Sharon reveals her true background as Katie Jonas, asserts her constructed identity, and leads Elmer in a syncretic worship ceremony.
I
Invites Elmer to Virginia, reveals her dependence on Cecil for sermon writing, and oscillates between intimacy and distance.
II
Meets Elmer at the station in a middy blouse and tam-o'-shanter, presents herself as a young girl rather than a preacher, and leads him to her family estate.
III
Sharon reveals her true identity as Katie Jonas, a former stenographer who fabricated the Falconer name. She is manipulative, mystical, and determined to mold Elmer into a great evangelist.
IV
Refuses Elmer's marriage proposal, citing her consecration to God and the need to appear unmarried for her ministry; admits she loves him a little.
Chapter XIII
Takes Elmer as assistant; expands into larger cities; experiences religious ecstasy and manipulates audiences; relies on Elmer for management.
I
Takes Elmer on as assistant, discharges Cecil Aylston, and under Elmer's urging ventures into larger cities with her evangelistic ministry.
II
Adopts Elmer's suggestions to modernize her evangelistic approach, facing skepticism from churches about women evangelists.
III
Leads the negotiation with the local committee, defends her expenses, and uses emotional appeals to secure favorable terms.
IV
Delivers the high-point sermons; her eloquence is compared to theatrical preparation, and she relies on Elmer for organization.
VI
Sharon is the evangelist leading the revival meetings; she relishes the miraculous manifestations as signs of her talent and divine power, but is also distressed by cynical criticism.
VII
Central figure of the evangelistic crew; her costumes and sermons are collaboratively planned and performed.
Chapter XIV
Incalculable moods ranging from priestess to child; struggles with the demands of her ministry.
I
Incalculable and moody, she oscillates between priestess, businesswoman, and childlike rebellion, expressing fatigue with her role.
II
Elmer's employer; earns over twenty thousand a year; has vague plans for a big center and training school; promised Elmer a future share but does not discuss salary.
III
Rages at Adelbert for entering without knocking, proposes renting a house for privacy, and admits to enjoying dancing despite preaching against it.
Chapter IV
Involved in the correspondence and disputes over unpaid claims for damaged properties.
V
Struggles to manage her crew's late-night antics; holds many conferences with Elmer; buys a phonograph for the team.
VI
Debates revival techniques with Dr. Binch, later privately criticizes him to Elmer, revealing her own manipulative savvy.
Chapter XV
Opens her tabernacle; during the fire, she stays behind holding a cross; fires Elmer and Lily for their flirtation.
I
Expands her evangelistic work with faith healing, buys the Clontar pier, and dreams of becoming a major religious leader.
II
Reveals her fears and ambitions, her humble past as 'Little Katie Jonas,' and her terror of failure. She becomes hysterical when Elmer fails to support her, then flees along the beach.
Chapter III
Sharon discovers Elmer and Lily together and immediately discharges them both.
IV
Confronts Elmer with cold clarity, calling him out as a liar and ungrateful, yet ultimately succumbs to his flattery and lies.
V
Sharon is the central figure of the crusade, delivering a dramatic sermon. During the fire, she refuses to flee, trusting in faith, and dies holding a cross.
Chapter XVI
Elmer longs for her constantly; her memory haunts him and makes him feel like an impostor in pulpits.
II
Dead; Elmer mourns her and recalls her presence and ministry.
Chapter XVIII
Mentioned by Elmer as a sanctified influence who helped him overcome temptation.
IV
Elmer references his time as general manager for Sharon Falconer, using her reputation to bolster his own standing with the bishop.
V
Referenced as the leader of the evangelistic team that Elmer left behind, representing the big tent and throngs he misses.
IV
Mentioned by Elmer as part of his evangelistic work.
Chapter XX
Mentioned as someone Elmer worked with before his current ministry.
II
Referenced as a previous audience for Elmer's refurbished sermon.
Chapter VI
Elmer privately compares the traveling evangelist unfavorably to himself, recalling his work with Sharon Falconer, which gives him a sense of superiority.
Chapter XXII
Elmer mourns his lost relationship with her, wishing he could have been a decent fellow.
I
Mentioned in Elmer's regretful thoughts as the one he might have been decent with.
III
Elmer reflects on his past with Sharon, wondering if he is being untrue to her.
IV
Mentioned as a past love; Elmer feels Hettie is her reincarnation, though Hettie is more stable and less moody.
