Elmer Gantry

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. What physical state is Gantry in when the novel begins? Asleep Exhausted Depressed Drunk

2. Gantry is a student at Terwillinger College, a Baptist university in Gritzmacher Springs, Kansas. By what nickname is he known on campus? Cave man Lover-boy Hell-cat Tiger

3. Which of these characters is Gantry’s irreligious, freethinking roommate, who is also his one real friend? Eddie Fislinger Jim Lefferts Harry Zenz Frank Shallard

4. After his reluctant “profession of faith” during a bout of drunkenness, Elmer is invited by the president of the college to deliver a sermon to the student body. At a complete loss over what to say, he ends up using a passage by an atheistic philosopher and author as the basis of his sermon. This becomes the prototype of a stock sermon, which he uses again and again throughout his career as an evangelist. What writer’s words provide Gantry’s “inspiration”? Bertrand Russell Thomas Paine Voltaire Robert Ingersoll

5. Ultimately, Elmer determines to become a minister of the Gospel; however, there is one hurdle to be overcome. He has been told that he is not truly fit to become a Baptist minister unless he receives “the Call”. Which of these ultimately causes Elmer to experience “the Call”? A bout of sickness Liquor A session of lovemaking A fistfight

6. Elmer is sent to his first ministry at a church in Schoenheim, where he encounters the lovely Lulu Baines, the daughter of the church’s deacon. What furry animal is Lulu compared to upon her first appearance (and several times thereafter)? A lamb A kitten A poodle A rabbitt

7. At one point, Gantry disgraces himself and is blackballed from active ministry (though he remains an ordained minister) when he becomes drunk on a train and ends up in bed with a strange woman on Easter Sunday. What occupation does he (temporarily) take up? Traveling salesman Bartender Lawyer Actor

8. Out of curiosity, Gantry goes to see the female evangelist Sharon Falconer and is utterly entranced. He at once determines to meet her and become both her business and romantic partner. In a conversation with Elmer, which of these does Sharon compare herself to? Joan of Arc Mary Baker Eddy Teresa of Avila Mary Magdalene

9. During a getaway with Elmer at her “family home” in Virginia, Sharon reveals herself to be quite as big a con-artist as Gantry himself. Which of the following surprising revelations does Sharon NOT reveal during their stay in Virginia? Her hair is not her own Her “family home” was, in fact, fairly recently purchased Her name is not Sharon Falconer Her home contains a bizarre shrine with both Christian saints and pagan idols.

10. Sharon tragically dies when a fire destroys the newly built Waters of Jordan Tabernacle on the night of its first revival meeting. Despite Elmer’s desperate attempts to drag her with him out of the building, Sharon clings to the wooden cross on the stage and pushes him away. What are his last words to her before fleeing from the inferno? "God help you!" "I love you!" "You can go to Hell!" "Pray for me!"

11. How many lives (apart from his own) does Gantry save on the night of the fire? None Thirty One Five

12. Gantry finds it rough going making it as a preacher on his own after Sharon’s death. Eventually, he decides to convert to one of the more mainstream religions in order to obtain a comfortable position as pastor of his own church. What religion does he convert to? Lutheranism Congregationalism Methodism Presbyterianism

13. How many children do Elmer and Cleo have? Four None Two One

14. Eventually, Gantry is appointed to the Wellspring Church in Zenith (a fictional city where a number of Lewis’ novels take place). What other fictional denizen of Zenith, himself the title character of a previous Lewis novel, makes a brief appearance in the story? Martin Arrowsmith George F. Babbitt Sam Dodsworth Cass Timberlane

15. On two seperate occasions, Gantry reflects that it would be better if his wife Cleo were dead. True False

16. Gantry is welcomed as the guest of the saintly Andrew Pengilly at the height of his career as a crusader for Christian virtue. After listening to Gantry describe his work in Zenith, Pengilly asks him a startling and quite penetrating question; what is it? "Why don't you believe in God?" "Do you believe in God?" "When will you become a Christian?" "Why don't you ever mention God?"

17. Gantry borrows $100 from this character, who was a fellow student with him at the seminary, at the outset of his career as a Methodist preacher. Later in the novel, he turns viciously on him and brings about his downfall. Which of these is it? Eddie Fislinger Don Pickens Harry Zenz Frank Shallard

18. Which of these women traps Gantry in a compromising situation and very nearly succeeds in ruining him? Lulu Baines Beryl Gilson Lily Anderson Hettie Dowler

19. Gantry sucessfully weathers the scandal and, at the end of the novel, is rapturously greeted by his devoted and forgiving flock. The last paragraph of the novel is a stirring address to his congregation; what minor, but significant, thing happens in the penultimate paragraph? He begins to crave a drink. He notices a pretty woman in the choir. He stubs his toe and utters a swear word. He misquotes Scripture.

20. In researching and preparing this novel, Sinclair Lewis did a bit of preaching himself. True False