Summary Of The Scopes Monkey Trial

The focus of creationism versus evolution in the Scopes Monkey Trial shifts in its fictional representation written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Inherit the Wind uses the Scopes Trial as a backdrop to project society into a town called Hillsboro. The singular perspective of this small town hinders its people’s freedom of thought and the town’s progress as a part of society.
The people of Hillsboro base their actions on the idea that “faith is the most important thing” (Lawrence and Lee 60). Bertram Cates to expand the minds of his students by teaching against “the Living Truth of Scriptures”; this gives Cates the label of “an arrogant youth” by the hero of the town’s people Matthew Brady (Lawrence and Lee 19). Brady’s objection to Henry Drummond using “noted scientists” for Cates defense shows the town’s bias towards a case made against their beliefs (Lawrence and Lee 54). The pressure to base all ideas on the Bible slows progress throughout the town.
E.K. Hornbeck describes Brady as “Water boy for the great unwashed. But they've got inside-plumbing in their heads these days” (Lawrence and Lee 26). The archaic teachings of Brady failed to suit a progressing society making Brady flock to Hillsboro. Drummond understands a radio broadcast will “break down a lot of walls” while Brady questions how the “machine” works (Lawrence and Lee 69). Drummond, an open minded man, understands change in a way that Brady, a shortsighted man,