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A review by crimsonsparrow
Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis
4.0
On the surface this book is about religion and hypocrisy. I think what makes this a more powerful, disturbing, and lasting message, however, is its exposé of the fundamental misogyny, narcissism, dehumanization, exploitation, and abuse of power at the heart of American history, her capitalist gospel, and her narrative of manifest destiny.
Elmer Gantry is the personification of the American dream, and the only way we can see its wretched individualism, destructive consumerism, and ridiculous façade is to see it in the church.
Is that what Lewis intended? I'm sure his was modernity's simple critique of fundamentalism as Darwinism took its place. Yet we have his snapshot of America's heart beneath its golden gilding regardless, and it is not a pretty picture.
Shall we continue to flock to it in mindless adulation? Or shall we wise up?
Elmer Gantry is the personification of the American dream, and the only way we can see its wretched individualism, destructive consumerism, and ridiculous façade is to see it in the church.
Is that what Lewis intended? I'm sure his was modernity's simple critique of fundamentalism as Darwinism took its place. Yet we have his snapshot of America's heart beneath its golden gilding regardless, and it is not a pretty picture.
Shall we continue to flock to it in mindless adulation? Or shall we wise up?