It Can’t Happen Here

It Can’t Happen Here

by

Sinclair Lewis

Father Stephen Perefixe Character Analysis

Father Perefixe is a young Roman Catholic priest from Canada who lives and preaches in Fort Beulah. Like his close friends Doremus Jessup, Buck Titus, and Mr. Falck, Perefixe opposes Windrip from the start for moral reasons. After the election, he becomes an active New Underground member and decides to return home to Canada. Ironically enough, even though he constantly tells everyone else about these plans, he never goes. By the end of the novel, he is the Fort Beulah New Underground’s leader (and one of its last remaining members).
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Father Stephen Perefixe Character Timeline in It Can’t Happen Here

The timeline below shows where the character Father Stephen Perefixe appears in It Can’t Happen Here. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 7
American Fascism Theme Icon
Political Communication and Mass Media Theme Icon
...balloting is deadlocked between Windrip and President Roosevelt. Doremus Jessup brings Foolish the dog to Father Perefixe ’s home, where the Rev. Mr. Falck, Buck Titus, Louis Rotenstern, Dr. Greenhill, and R.C.... (full context)
American Fascism Theme Icon
...the early morning, the convention officially nominates Berzelius Windrip for president. Doremus Jessup, Buck Titus, Father Perefixe , the Rev. Mr. Falck, and Foolish the dog are devastated. When Jessup returns home,... (full context)
Chapter 8
Morality and Resistance Theme Icon
...shot for it. Emma asks him to be careful and worries about his carelessness. But Father Perefixe , Sissy, Lorinda Pike, and the housekeeper Mrs. Candy are furious about Windrip’s platform, too. (full context)
Chapter 20
American Fascism Theme Icon
Political Communication and Mass Media Theme Icon
Meanwhile, Father Perefixe decides to return home to Canada, and the formerly pro-Windrip miller Medary Cole gets fed... (full context)
Chapter 26
Morality and Resistance Theme Icon
Political Communication and Mass Media Theme Icon
...Doremus Jessup, Buck Titus, Dan Wilgus, Lorinda Pike, Julian Falck, Dr. Marcus Olmsted, John Pollikop, Father Perefixe , Henry Veeder’s wife, Harry Kindermann, Mungo Kitterick, and Pete Vutong. Every week, representatives from... (full context)
Chapter 30
American Fascism Theme Icon
Morality and Resistance Theme Icon
Political Communication and Mass Media Theme Icon
...that Aras Dilley was prowling around outside the house in disguise. Jessup, Wilgus, Titus, and Father Perefixe dismantle their secret printing press, and John Pollikop drives it to Truman Webb’s house before... (full context)
Chapter 33
American Fascism Theme Icon
Morality and Resistance Theme Icon
...to Trianon or quit out of fear. Mary Greenhill now leads it, and just Sissy, Father Perefixe , Dr. Olmsted, and a few others remain. They do what little they can, mostly... (full context)
Chapter 34
American Fascism Theme Icon
Liberalism and Tolerance Theme Icon
Morality and Resistance Theme Icon
...rents the Jessup house. Sissy moves away and leaves the Fort Beulah New Underground in Father Perefixe ’s hands. (full context)
Chapter 38
American Fascism Theme Icon
Morality and Resistance Theme Icon
...Buck Titus, Julian Falck, Karl Pascal, and John Pollikop are still alive in the camps, Father Perefixe is running the Fort Beulah New Underground, and Emma and David are happy with Philip... (full context)