Elmer Gantry Summary of Sinclair Lewis's Book

Elmer Gantry: A Landmark in American Literature

First published in January 1927, Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis is a novel that belongs to the genres of Fiction, Classics, and Religion. Universally recognized as a landmark in American literature, this book scandalized readers upon its release, leading to the author, Sinclair Lewis, facing legal troubles and threats of lynching. Despite the controversy surrounding its publication, Elmer Gantry remains a powerful and important work that explores the themes of hypocrisy, power, and morality.

Characters

• Elmer Gantry: The protagonist of the novel, Elmer Gantry is a charismatic and ambitious young man who becomes an evangelical preacher. Despite his religious facade, Gantry is shown to be a hypocrite who indulges in sensuality and self-indulgence.
• Sharon Falconer: A fellow evangelist who becomes romantically involved with Gantry. Falconer serves as a foil to Gantry, highlighting his moral shortcomings and hypocrisy.
• Lulu Bains: A former lover of Gantry who resurfaces later in the novel, causing turmoil in his life and further exposing his duplicitous nature.

Detailed Summary

Elmer Gantry follows the life and career of the titular character, Elmer Gantry, as he navigates the world of evangelical Christianity. Gantry starts off as a young, ambitious preacher who quickly rises to power within his church due to his charisma and persuasive speaking abilities. Despite his outward image as a savior of souls, Gantry leads a life of duplicity, indulging in vices such as alcohol and promiscuity.

Throughout the novel, Gantry's moral shortcomings are gradually revealed, as he becomes entangled in scandals and conflicts with other characters such as Sharon Falconer and Lulu Bains. As Gantry's hypocrisy becomes more apparent, he begins to face the consequences of his actions, ultimately leading to a downfall that serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious hypocrisy.

Analysis

Elmer Gantry has been praised for its sharp critique of religious hypocrisy and its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. Sinclair Lewis pulls no punches in his portrayal of Gantry, painting him as a complex and morally ambiguous character who embodies the contradictions of American society in the 1920s.

The novel serves as a scathing indictment of the corruption and moral decay that can arise when individuals use religion as a tool for personal gain. Through Gantry's story, Lewis exposes the dangers of blindly following charismatic leaders and the pitfalls of placing faith in false prophets.

Overall, Elmer Gantry is a thought-provoking and incisive work that remains relevant in its exploration of themes such as hypocrisy, power, and morality.

Final thoughts

If you enjoy thought-provoking literature that challenges conventional beliefs and explores the complexities of human nature, Elmer Gantry is a must-read. This landmark novel by Sinclair Lewis continues to resonate with readers today, offering a powerful and insightful examination of the pitfalls of religious hypocrisy.

For those interested in exploring the full depth and nuance of this classic work, I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Elmer Gantry or listening to the audiobook version for a captivating and immersive experience.

9782859405465 (ISBN10: 2859405461)