Play Inherit The Wind example essay topic

The play Inherit the Wind, was written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee to inform its readers about the injustice of a law that limited the freedom of an ordinary citizen. This play is based upon actual events that happened to an individual, John Scopes, in Dayton, Tennessee during the 1920's. This famous "Monkey Trial" not only allowed people to begin to accept new theories about the origin of man, but also showed that they did not have to limit themselves in other areas of life. In the beginning of the play, the authors try to lead us into the topic of Darwinism versus Creationism. One instance was when the character Howard actually told Melinda "Your old man's a monkey!" (5) The audience also learns that the accused lawbreaker, Bert Cates, and the reverend's daughter, Rachel Brown, are in love and are set to be married. Rachel becomes a pertinent part of the trial when Brady starts to question her, against the will of Bert.

The theme of Inherit the Wind is, 'don't be afraid of new ideas, and you have to let people make up their own minds about things. ' That theme fits the story really well, because that is the exact opposite of what the people of Hillsboro did, and look what happened there. One man spoke his mind, and a trial that made history was held. No one should be afraid to speak their mind, and people should not automatically reject a new idea because it is not what they are used to. The characters in Inherit the Wind heard Bert Cates's idea, didn't like it, and sent him to jail, not even giving his idea a chance. So, think before you judge someone else's ideas, because you never know how worthwhile they may end up being.

What caught my attention to this play was that the two authors were passionate about this theme for the play and obviously researched the history of the actual trial, in order to portray it as realistically as possible. This hard work and attention to detail created a very informative and memorable play. (Although some were ficticous) The authors choose to present this story in play format so that the characters' words and actions could be effectively expressed. This format also allowed the story to be conveyed without any bias to either side. It is in this way that the authors allow each side of the case to speak their minds freely. In my opinion the theme's purpose was achieved through the expression of becoming open with new ideas and leaving the play as unbiased form.

The author's key style as well highlighted humour, as a comic relief. They used it as a tool to decrease the stress of the characters and the trial itself. For instance when Brady sarcastically says to Drummond "is the defense showing us the latest fashion in the city of Chicago?" (40), and Drummond strikes back with slapping his suspenders down to attract the attention of the court. They want laughter aroused in the courtroom. Horneck himself is in the play to create some cynical humor. Though it is not exactly a technique, it did capture my attention how the character who did accustom with changes and was open to all new ideas ended better than he who was "faithful" yet stubborn with old ideas.

What I didn't like about Inherit the Wind does not show to be a historically accurate depiction of the Scopes trial. The main source for Lee and Lawrence's information was the actual trial record found in Dayton, Tennessee, dating back to 1925. They did not use all of the characters or dialogue from the records, instead they elaborated on the actual people and events, also using reporters's tories on the case. The authors placed intriguing characters within the play to make the story's events unfold more readily and become more interesting.

The book shows the reader how closed minded that these characters can be when it comes to a new, different idea. The authors used primary sources, they depended on the original court recorded documents. In this cause its prevalent to say there documentation of the trial was an accurate one. There sources were very reliable, as far as drawing conclusions from there sources, this is another reason why I enjoyed the book. I knew from previous studies and articles how the Scope's trial's final verdict ended as. As far as drawing conclusion's to the final play, I wouldn't doubt their story was accurate to the subject.

This book would have been useful to me in the course if I would have maybe read it prior to our exam over the scopes issue. Although It did not pertain much to the class, I did learn valuable lessons over ignorance and blind sightedness a region of the country was during the 1920's. In the same conflict I would insist that Mass beliefs easily change sides. Masses and the commune people throughout history have always been ignorant, and still are. They trust a certain leader or group, in this case Brady and the church, to a level beyond normal when everything is running fine. But when that person or group commits an error only human they turn their backs on them, because they expect more than just human behavior from these leaders, they expect infallible actions open thinking.

So, they go from group to group or leader to leader, without ever thinking for themselves. I do have certain issues I would like to bring up towards the author I thought it was a very interesting book on a very controversial subject. Personally, I think that all students should read this book because I truly think that they would enjoy it. It provides entertainment, but it also lets a student think for himself about topics like God, science, and the justice system. While reading this book, I developed my own opinions about the Theory of Evolution, which I don't believe in, and though I didn't think Bert should be put in jail, I did agree with pretty much everything Brady had to say about the Bible. To my final conclusion of the trial of the century, Inherit the Wind was a wonderful book that should be read by all.