"Hello, Devil. Welcome to Hell."
— The journalist Hornbeck to defense attorney, Henry Drummond
Inherit the Wind is the dramatic reimagining of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, in which high school teacher John T. Scopes was arrested for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution as an alternative explanation of the origin of life than the one found in the Bible — defying Tennessee's Butler Act.
In the play's introduction though, authors Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee write, "...Inherit the Wind does not pretend to be journalism. It is theatre. It is not 1925. The stage directions set the time as "Not too long ago." It might have been yesterday. It could be tomorrow."
And so, in the courthouse of a small Tennessee town suffering through a sweltering July, Chicago attorney Henry Drummond defends a law-breaking science teacher from the wrath of his religious hometown, a veteran prosecutor, and state legislature.
In the play's introduction though, authors Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee write, "...Inherit the Wind does not pretend to be journalism. It is theatre. It is not 1925. The stage directions set the time as "Not too long ago." It might have been yesterday. It could be tomorrow."
And so, in the courthouse of a small Tennessee town suffering through a sweltering July, Chicago attorney Henry Drummond defends a law-breaking science teacher from the wrath of his religious hometown, a veteran prosecutor, and state legislature.
WHY I LOVE IT
This short (130 page) play is a battle-royale between the religiously zealous prosecutor, Matthew Brady, and passionate, worldly defense lawyer, Henry Drummond. Locked in gladiatorial combat, the two giants fight not just to decide the fate of the teacher on trial, but a nation's future.
The central conflict is made clear via the philosophical-yet-direct dialogue, and the case's relentless pace charges toward the climax in which Drummond, suddenly stripped of his entire roster of key witnesses for the defense, calls the prosecuting lawyer, Brady, to the stand.
I couldn't put Inherit the Wind down. The play's themes of free speech, church and state, and an individual's right to think for himself were an unexpected breath of fresh air. [JG]
The central conflict is made clear via the philosophical-yet-direct dialogue, and the case's relentless pace charges toward the climax in which Drummond, suddenly stripped of his entire roster of key witnesses for the defense, calls the prosecuting lawyer, Brady, to the stand.
I couldn't put Inherit the Wind down. The play's themes of free speech, church and state, and an individual's right to think for himself were an unexpected breath of fresh air. [JG]
| There's a great Hollywood adaptation (1960) directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy (as Henry Drummond), Fredric March (Matthew Brady), and Gene Kelly (the ironic newspaper reporter Hornbeck). |
FAVORITE QUOTES
5. "You murder a wife, it isn't nearly as bad as murdering an old wives' tale. Kill one of their fairy tale notions, and they call down the wrath of God, Brady, and State legislature." — Drummond to Cates
4. "You never pushed a noun against a verb except to blow up something." — Drummond to Hornbeck
3. "He that troubeth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart." Proverbs 11:29
2. "This is your book, Bert. I've read it. All the way through. I don't understand it. What I do understand, I don't like. I don't want to think that men came from apes and monkeys. But I think that's beside the point." — Rachel to Cates
1. "A thought is like a child inside our body. It has to be born. If it dies inside you, part of you dies, too!" — Rachel
4. "You never pushed a noun against a verb except to blow up something." — Drummond to Hornbeck
3. "He that troubeth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart." Proverbs 11:29
2. "This is your book, Bert. I've read it. All the way through. I don't understand it. What I do understand, I don't like. I don't want to think that men came from apes and monkeys. But I think that's beside the point." — Rachel to Cates
1. "A thought is like a child inside our body. It has to be born. If it dies inside you, part of you dies, too!" — Rachel
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
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Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee also co-wrote The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail and Aunti Mame. Thoreau dramatizes the 19th century writer's decision in 1852 to refuse paying taxes in protest to America's Mexican War; it explores civil disobedience, the rule of law, and Thoreau's philosophy. Aunti Mame is a musical comedy set in 1920s America about a magnanimous New York socialite's quest to encourage her young nephew to adopt her life's mantra: "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"
"Bert, whenever you see something bright, shining,
perfect-seeming—all gold...look behind the paint.
And if it's a lie— show it up for what it really is."
— Drummond, encouraging Cates to appeal
the case to the Supreme Court
perfect-seeming—all gold...look behind the paint.
And if it's a lie— show it up for what it really is."
— Drummond, encouraging Cates to appeal
the case to the Supreme Court
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