[.ca] Inherit the Wind (ISBN 0345501039)

The fictional version of the famous Scopes "Monkey" trial:
In this introduction to "Inherit the Wind" Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee attempt to put the play into historical perspective: "'Inherit the Wind' is hot history. The events which took place in Dayton, Tennessee...are clearly the genesis of the play \obut\c it has...an exodus entirely its own." The playwrights took only a handful of phrases from the trial transcript and declared that "The collision of Bryan and Darrow at Dayton was dramatic, but it was not a drama." In the play William Jennings Bryan becomes Matthew Harrison Brady, Clarence Darrow was transformed into Henry Drummond, H.L. Mencken changed to E.K. Hornbeck, and John Scopes was now Bertram Cates. However, from the play's first performance in 1955 it has been impossible to dissociate the characters from their historical counterparts. The Scopes "Monkey" Trial did not pop up in American history books until the late 1950s after the debut of "Inherit the Wind," and many early descriptions followed the play rather than actual events despite the fact that changes are numerous. Unlike Scopes, who was persuaded to be a test case, Bert Cates takes it upon himself to violate the law, becoming a pariah in the town of Hillsboro. The citizens of the town in the play have much more of a lynch mob mentality (which is played up even more in Stanley Kramer's 1960 film version), but the centerpiece for both the historical drama and the theater version is the cross-examination of one lawyer by another before the media and the world. Whereas Darrow had a weekend to practice his examination of Bryan, Drummond is suddenly inspired to put Brady on the stand. The cross-examination in "Inherit the Wind" most notably differs from the Scopes trial transcript in that Drummond is required to confine his questions only to the subject of the Bible, where as Darrow could ask not only about the miracles in the Bible but explore Bryan's knowledge of various sciences and non-Christian religions as well. Drummond insists that "it takes a very smart fella to say 'I don't know the answer,'" which, ironically, is what Bryan repeatedly responded to Darrow on the witness stand in Dayton. The character of E.K. Hornbeck, the cynical observer, has such an extreme view of the proceedings that he forces the audience, whether viewing or reading the play, to take a more moderate position. Ultimately, the judgment here is of "Brady" and "Drummond." Brady is portrayed as a foolish fundamentalist, whose chief sin is ignorance more than bigotry. In contrast, Drummond is a religious atheist, who finds the right to think to be holy. When Drummond leaves at the play's conclusion he puts the Bible and a copy of Darwin into his satchel together, suggesting an equality of sorts that neither character, in the drama or in history, ever espoused. There was such a figure of reconciliation during the trial, defense lawyer Dudley Field Malone, but he remains the most forgotten figure of the trial as the idea of the compatibility between Genesis and evolution has come to be rejected more and more by both sides. Lawrence and Lee's fictionalized account of the Scopes trial was not only the first major work to touch on the Monkey trial after World War II, it was the most significant in terms of public knowledge about the trial. Certainly more people have seen the film or television movie versions of "Inherit the Wind" than have read all the books on the Scopes trial combined. Whatever disclaimers are provided to the contrary, the play's version of what happened in "Hillsboro" is accepted as either being true or close enough to the truth to make the differences inconsequential. When Susan Epperson challenged Arkansas' Rotenberry Act journalists actually invoked "Inherit the Wind" rather than the Scopes Trial as their point of reference. Furthermore, the "Inherit the Wind" dramatization has never been challenged. Scopes admitted the film "altered the facts of the real trial," but focused on the "small liberties" of suggesting he had been jailed and met his future wife during the trial. Overall, Scopes declared that the film version "captured the emotions in the battle of words between Bryan and Darrow." In the final analysis that idea of "emotions" may be the best way of capturing the essence of the Scopes myth; it is a version of the Scopes trial that is shaped and colored by emotions rather than by factors or logic. After all, when the play premiered the Butler Act was still on the books in Tennessee. It was not until the vote by the Tennessee legislature to repeal the Butler Act, after the supreme court decision in Epperson vs. Arkansas, that "Inherit the Wind" became more history that rhetoric, although certainly the rhetorical dimension has, to some extent, been subsumed by the theatricality of the piece. After all, from Paul Muni and Ed Begley to Spencer Tracy and Frederic March to Jason Robards and Kirk Douglas to Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott the play has been a dramatic showcase for its two male leads. Perhaps it is for that reason that it will remain a staple of high school and community theaters rather than for the resonance it brings to current events regarding the teaching of evolution in American schools. Furthermore, you can argue that the touchstone for the play is now more the separation of church and state than the original issue of evolution. What is not in dispute is that "Inherit the Wind" has become a rare instance of fiction that has assumed the mantle of fact.

Fantastic:
Inherit the wind was written as a play in 1955 and is still relevant today. The play was freely adapted from the "Scopes Monkey Trial" of 1925. The teacher was placed on trial for teaching evolution and not creationism. This argument continues to rage today after the turn of the twenty first century! The beauty of this play is that it is simplicity itself. The play is a very fast read and is very enjoyable. The play covers some very tough subjects, but does it in such a way that the reader deos not get bogged down in heavy philosophical discussions. They are still there, but handled in an ingenious way. What I loved about this play was that the issues were not really about the teacher, but the clash of personalities of the major players. The teacher is nothing more than a background player here and the evangelist and the defense lawyer are the true stars. Makes one think when the same issue comes up after eighty years since the original trial of Scopes what is really being argued. Highly recommended

One of the Modern Theatre's Best:
Though it is based on the Scopes Trial, which took place in Tennessee in 1925, INHERIT THE WIND is essentially a work of fiction; even the names of the principal characters have been changed (John Scopes is now Bertram Cates; Clarence Darrow is Henry Drummond; William Jennings Bryan becomes Matthew Harrison Brady). In addition, the setting of the play is non-specific: a certain southern town, "not long ago." IDEAS are what the play is about, and like most great works of art, INHERIT THE WIND does not offer simple answers. Just as Drummond argues for "the right to think," so does the play allow the reader/audience member to consider many possibilities. For instance, in the play's final moments Drummond places both a copy of Darwin's book and a Bible in his briefcase, then leaves the courtroom. This suggests the possibility that science and religion might be compatible. Because he is willing to consider both theories, Drummond is very unlike both Brady, who believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible, and the cynical reporter E.K. Hornbeck (originally H.L. Mencken -- the "Greek chorus character," or commentator, who speaks in free verse), who completely rejects Brady's ideas. It is in fact Brady who emerges as a true tragic figure; it is also Brady who undergoes change and is therefore the most complex character in the play. INHERIT THE WIND has everything: a tragic hero, colorful characters and dialogue, gripping courtroom scenes, and a skillfully foreshadowed, climactic death. Also recommended: the 1960 film version, starring Spencer Tracy as Drummond and Frederic March as Brady.

Monkeying with the Monkey Trail:
Almost all of the scientific evidence brought forward during the time of the trial has been discarded. There was another very disturbing thing about Inherit the Wind. It caricatured Christians as self-righteous, intolerant and mean-spirited. The two leading Christian characters in the film rant like lunatics much of the time. Phillip E. Johnson's book DEFEATING DARWINISM BY OPENING MINDS (available at Amazon) writes about how Christians were stereotyped. The play did get one thing right. It is indeed a 'crime' (to use their word) to censor an opposing view in the classroom. This lesson has been lost on secular humanists today who attempt to censor any evidence contrary to their dogmatic belief in evolution.

Historical drama does not disappoint its audience:
Though it might irk those entirely opposed to Darwinism, those who deem it morally wrong. Many residents of a small, sleepy Southern town felt the Darwin theory was wrong, which was why conflict arose when it was found out that a teacher had been discussing the theory with his students. This town in particular was one of the so-called Bible belt category. Those who resided there were primarily church-going and religious. They were also the epitome of fundamentalists, meaning they took the Bible literally. The situation concerning Darwinism and the school teacher was taken straight to the courthouse and went down in American history as the "Monkey Trial." Although The Bible vs. Darwin is perhaps a bit less taboo of a subject today than it was in the year 1925, this fictional play still rings true in the present. Why? People are afraid of change. People are scared of new ideas and new ways of life. People are frightened of experiencing new cultures. Evidence of this can be found on a day-today basis, yet INHERIT THE WIND is one of the finest examples. The small, sleepy, Southern town watches as two men dual not with violence, but merely by the power of their words. The results of their banter and arguments are often humorous, sometimes enlightening, and make the trial one to remember throughout history, from generation to generation, from textbook to textbook. Highly recommended to those who've developed a fascination for history or even for those interested in the lawyer fields. I read it for assigned reading in the 8th grade and I'm glad I did - we acted the entire thing out. Hopefully, you will be pleased with Lawrence's accurate peek into history as well. Searching out various people for the different roles in the play will make the whole "Monkey Trial" experience even more enjoyable for you. It took me a while to grow accustomed to the style in which it was written and it spiffed up a subject I once thought to be a total and complete bore. Worth your time.