Quotes
Who says, "You cannot throw him back to the sea. There is only one thing to do."
Hana
What is the significance of Drummond's action at the very end of the play?
Although he is an atheist, he still believes that the Bible and Darwin's Origin of the Species can coexist.
How do the townspeople demonstrate their disregard for Brady at the end of the play?
Not listening to his speech.
Laughing at him.
According to Drummond, what bigger issue is on trial?
What is it that he says Brady has the right to?
The Right to Think
The Right to be Wrong
How do Brady and Drummond know each other? What was their prior relationship?
Brady and Drummond had a professorial relationship.
This past was based on a “mutuality of understanding and admiration”.
Who says, " I may be rancid butter, but at least I am on your side of the bread?"
Hornbeck.
Give 3 examples of the how the townspeople honor Brady at the beginning of the play?
Songs
speeches
honorary title
food
banners
Why did Bert Cates withdraw from the local church?
He was upset by Rev. Brown's reaction to the death of the Stebbin's boy.
Drummond comes to town to defend Bert Cates. However, he ends up defending someone else also?
Who does he defend and why?
Drummond defends Brady when Hornbeck degrades him.
What “larger issue” does Drummond thinks is on trial in “Inherit the Wind”? Explain.
The right/freedom to think
The trial is not merely about the merits of Darwin. It is more so about whether or not the government should prevent its citizens from acquiring knowledge.
What is Rachel's advice to Bert?
Admit his guilt/apologize/say he was wrong.
Give 3 examples of the judge's bias.
He allowed for the "Read Your Bible" sign.
He announced the prayer meeting.
He did not let Drummond call expert witnesses.
In what way did Drummond and Cates lose? In what way did they win? Provide 2 examples for each.
Loss:
Cates was convicted of his crime.
Cates was required to pay a 100 dollar fine.
Cates had no job and probably no place to stay.
Win
The towns people of Hillsboro were “awakened” to new ideas and other opinions.
The judge gave Cates a very small fine due to the turn in popular opinion.
The case could go forward with an appeal and lead to real change (allowing for further protections of the freedom of thought)
How is Brady’s demeanor different at the end of Act 2 Scene 2 (after the cross-examination) than it was previously? Provide at least 2 examples.
Before - Brady was prideful, pompous and sure of his position. He quickly agreed to testify as an “expert” on the bible.
After - Brady’s demeanor changes to that of a helpless child. He says to his wife, “they are laughing at me mother!”, and allows her to cradle his head.
What is the story of the Golden Dancer? Why does Drummond tell Bert the story and what is its connection to the trial? Provide TWO examples.
The Golden Dancer was a rocking horse Drummond wanted as a child, it seemed perfect on the outside but fell apart almost instantly. Drummond’s point is that, like this trial, things are not always what they seem.
Brady’s strong beliefs in the absolute literal accuracy of the Bible. They broke under pressure.
Brady’s outward authoritative demeanor of prideful confidence is not as strong as it appears, as he is easily turned into a weeping child after being humiliated.
When is the phrase, "Inherit the Wind," referred to in the play?
Where does it come from?
What does it mean?
When Rev. Brown damns Rachel OR when Drummond defends Brady to Hornbeck.
The Bible
"You reap what you sow."
What does the judge do in an effort to be more impartial?
He also gives Drummond the military title of "Honorary Colonel."
Identify TWO round characters and TWO flat characters. Provide examples to show why these characters are round or flat.
Round Characters: Characters who have many sides; they have both faults and virtues. They are able to surprise the reader.
Rachel 🡪 Starts out weak and emerges strong
At first Rachel thinks a public worker should obey the law. Later on, she believes he has the right to exercise his freedom of thought.
Drummond 🡪 Has empathy of other’s opinions even if he doesn’t believe in them.
Drummond fiercely took on Brady in cross examination and defended the right to study Darwin, yet at the end tells Hornbeck to have empathy for Brady (after Brady collapses).
Brady 🡪 Appears boastful, prideful and pompous. However, at the end becomes a sad and pathetic character.
At the end of the play, Brady shows his weakness when he calls for mother and weeps in her arms.
Flat Characters: One dimensional characters that lack complexity. This is a character that is either all good or all bad and does not change. He/she is easy to comprehend as they act in just one way.
Hornbeck 🡪 Hornbeck both starts and ends the story as a cynic.
Calls the monkey Grandpa at the beginning of the story. Ends the story by making fun of Brady who has just collapsed.
Reverend Brown 🡪 Starts out as a fundamentalist preacher with a tendency towards cruelty and ends the play in the exact same way.
Damned the drowned boy at his funeral and damns his own daughter and Cates.
Compare and contrast Drummond and Brady’s characters. Name 1 similarity and 1 difference.
Similarities
They are both well-known public figures (Brady three-time presidential candidate & Drummond for his defense of high profile criminals).
They are both trial lawyers, wonderful with spoken word and charismatic.
Differences
Drummond has progressive views and values the freedom of thought while Brady uses the” bible as a shield” from change and growth.
Brady has a need for attention and admiration from people around him while Drummond does not mind being seen as a pariah (outsider).
In what way did Drummond and Cates lose? In what way did they win? Provide 2 examples for each.
Loss:
Cates was convicted of his crime; he paid a 100 dollar fine; he had no job and probably no place to stay.
Win
The towns people of Hillsboro were “awakened”.
Cates small fine was small.
The case could go forward with an appeal