Free Essays on Inherit The Wind

In 1955, Laurence and Lee wrote Inherit the Wind to emphasize Conflicts that arose during the Scopes Trial and the McCarthy era. They illustrated these themes/conflicts by manipulating the events of the Scopes trial and creating characters that effectively convey the themes. Although the Scopes trial already on its own conveys conflicts suck as: Science Vs. Faith but Laurence and Lee manipulated the story to convey an even bigger theme of Acceptance vs. Fundamentalism. In Dayton where the actual Scopes trial took place the towns people where slightly different from what the authors had made them, for example a quote from an article says, â€Å"The people of Dayton were portrayed as charming, friendly, polite, and open-minded, and the atmosphere throughout the trial was festive and circus-like.† In contrast to what is says above, the towns people of Hillsboro were the exact opposite of what the article says on the citizens of Dayton. They are narrow minded and inscrutable in their actions. By manipulating the plot of the Scopes trial this way, the playwrights emphasize the fact that people are would benefit from being more accepting of other cultures, rather than have strict fundamentalism values. The consequences of not being accepting are r ecognized at the end when all said is done and the town of Hillsboro looks like a joke to the rest of the world. Not only the towns people portrayed fundamentalist values, but Laurence and Lee chose to give the towns priest, Reverend Brown, strict fundamentalist values as well. This is shown in Act Two, Scene One, when Brown is preaching during the meeting where he says, â€Å"Lord we call down the same curse on these who ask grace on this sin though they be blood of my blood and flesh of my flesh.†(Pg #66, Lee, Laurence) Here we see the Reverend basically stating his beliefs are so strong that he is willing to wish an eternity of hell upon his own daughter. Furthermore, from the precedin... Free Essays on Inherit The Wind Free Essays on Inherit The Wind Inherit the Wind SUMMARY Inherit the Wind, published by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is a dramatized account of an actualized trial called the Scopes â€Å"Monkey Trial†. The play takes place during the hot July summer, in a small town named Hillsboro. In the first act, the major characters are introduced. Bertram Cates, a schoolteacher in Hillsboro, has taught his kids about Charles Darwin’s Origins of the Species even though it’s against the law to teach evolution in the state. Being the Fundamentalist town that it is, the people of Hillsboro have decided to prosecute Cates who believes that evolution is the truth. Matthew Harrison Brady, a politician and lawyer, comes into town to prosecute for the state against Cates. He is well respected and even honored with a parade and picnic when he arrives in Hillsboro. E.K. Hornbeck, a reporter for the Baltimore Herald comes into town to cover the Cates trial. He feels that the people are backwards and even make fun of the town calling it â€Å"†¦Heavenly Hillsboro. The buckle on the Bible belt†(13). Henry Drummond, the defense attorney for Cates and also a former friend of Brady, comes into town unwanted and unwelcomed. He is described as â€Å"A vicious, godless man!†(24). And is personified as the Devil himself. All the people of Hillsboro give their support to Brady and ignore Drummond. Cates seems to be abandoned by those that knew him and is treated badly. He remains in a cell while he awaits his trial. Throughout the trial, Brady constantly objects Drummond when he calls for his witnesses and sustained by the judge. Brady holds a standing ground until Drummond calls him to the stand and makes a fool out of him. At the end, Cates is found guilty and is only fined $100. The defense team loses the case but gains a respect from the people. Brady dies later on that day and Hornbeck says that he â€Å"died of a busted belly†(112). However, Drummond, his oppo... Free Essays on Inherit the Wind In 1955, Laurence and Lee wrote Inherit the Wind to emphasize Conflicts that arose during the Scopes Trial and the McCarthy era. They illustrated these themes/conflicts by manipulating the events of the Scopes trial and creating characters that effectively convey the themes. Although the Scopes trial already on its own conveys conflicts suck as: Science Vs. Faith but Laurence and Lee manipulated the story to convey an even bigger theme of Acceptance vs. Fundamentalism. In Dayton where the actual Scopes trial took place the towns people where slightly different from what the authors had made them, for example a quote from an article says, â€Å"The people of Dayton were portrayed as charming, friendly, polite, and open-minded, and the atmosphere throughout the trial was festive and circus-like.† In contrast to what is says above, the towns people of Hillsboro were the exact opposite of what the article says on the citizens of Dayton. They are narrow minded and inscrutable in their actions. By manipulating the plot of the Scopes trial this way, the playwrights emphasize the fact that people are would benefit from being more accepting of other cultures, rather than have strict fundamentalism values. The consequences of not being accepting are r ecognized at the end when all said is done and the town of Hillsboro looks like a joke to the rest of the world. Not only the towns people portrayed fundamentalist values, but Laurence and Lee chose to give the towns priest, Reverend Brown, strict fundamentalist values as well. This is shown in Act Two, Scene One, when Brown is preaching during the meeting where he says, â€Å"Lord we call down the same curse on these who ask grace on this sin though they be blood of my blood and flesh of my flesh.†(Pg #66, Lee, Laurence) Here we see the Reverend basically stating his beliefs are so strong that he is willing to wish an eternity of hell upon his own daughter. Furthermore, from the precedin...