the elvis outline
Elvis and Religion: Sex, Salvation, and Substitution
Thesis: Elvis Presley’s life can be read as having a definite religious atmosphere traceable through three major contexts from Elvis’ personal thoughts and feelings as well as the impact on his audience.
Intro: Elvis and the Religious Context
A. Ecstasy - Most religious practices rely heavily on the ability to achieve an ecstatic state; one tries to “stand outside oneself.” Elvis’ performances in the 50’s are seen as an ecstasy catalyst for the audience.
B. Identity - Elvis believes he is here for a purpose, a kind of “chosen one.” Meanwhile, his image of ecstasy agent is tamed and the audience loses connection with his freshness as Elvis himself grows restless searching for a new identity.
C. Impersonation - After Elvis’ death a frantic explosion of preservation and impersonation occurs in order to continue the legend.
I. Ecstasy
a. Elvis in the 1950’s
1. Cultural Climate: Sinatra’s bobby-soxers, post WWII sexual energy stored up, new developing media.
2. Elvis as voice of new generation: the teenager / rebel
3. “the Pelvis”
b. Elvis as liberator - the one who brings the ecstatic state
1. Fan reaction
2. Reaction of the Establishment
c. Elvis’ reactions to being a sex symbol
1. Movement in religious service
2. Absorption in the music rather than sex
II. Identity - Salvation
a. Elvis after the Army
1. Larry Gellar - haircut by a Buddha
2. Beginning the long relationship with amphetamines
3. Elvis as Movie Star
b. Audience reaction to “new Elvis”
1. Lack of feeling in the movies
2. To the Audience the “movie Elvis” is tame, stale.
c. Elvis (believes he) is Jesus
1. Elvis’ delusions / experiences
2. The identification as savior
3. Meetings with Gurus
4. The Vegas idea
III. Impersonation - Substitution
a. Elvis’ death leaves a hole in the iconography
1. national / worldwide reaction
2. Rise of impersonators
b. Elvis’ Estate
1. Attempt to control and create Elvis’ image
2. Elvis Presley Enterprises - create a pure, constructed image of Elvis.
c. Impersonators
1. Actually becoming Elvis
2. Elvis impersonation as completion of Self
3. Multiplicity of style / image
4. Continuation of myth
IV. Conclusion
A. Elvis has three major religious contexts
B. Each context can be seen from Elvis’s standpoint as well as the audience
C. Possible expansion contexts may be “inspiration” as well as “devotion.”
D. Elvis can be analyzed as a religious figure.
Works Cited
Chadwick, V. (ed.) In Search of Elvis: Music, Race, Art, Religion. Boulder: Westview
Press, 1997.
Doss, E. Elvis Culture: Fans, Faith, and Image. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas,
1999.
Guralnick, P. Careless Love: The Unmasking of Elvis Presley. Boston: Little, Brown
and Company, 1999.
Plasketes, G. Images of Elvis Presley in American Culture. New York, Haworth Press,
1997.