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Inherit The Wind Theme

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Inherit The Wind The 1950s bring forth a divided society of limited minds. Similarly, the play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee brings forth a town so focused on their own religious beliefs that they begin to drift away from the progress of science and lost the most powerful weapon of the human race. The ability to think. Provided that, three themes that are highlighted in Inherit the Wind is the search for truth, the ability to think and the inevitability of progress. First and foremost, the pursuit of truth is a theme woven throughout the play. Truth is described to be more than a symbolic idea, but instead a pathway one will journey into. This is revealed through the protagonist Henry Drummond. Being a defense attorney, …show more content…

In Hillsboro, knowledge is limited and therefore all of Hillsboro’s right to think is limited. Afterall, one cannot think about what they do not know. When the judge deems the expert testimony on evolution to be irrelevant while a man is on trial for teaching evolution, it shows that the people Hillsboro do not wish to think about the theory of Evolution. This is shown and contrasted by Rachel as she starts off caring about the right and wrongdoings of Cates. When nearing the end of the play, she reads Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and says “I haven’t thought very much. I was always afraid of what I might think - so it seemed safer not to think at all.” (124) This shows a change in Rachel as she uses her ability to think and is able to tolerate the idea of evolution. Additionally, the ability to think is also highlighted as a distinctive characteristic of the human race. Drummond questions Brady as to why God has plagued humans with the ability to think, for humans cannot compare to animals for physical characteristics, but when one thinks, one can complete their physical flaws. Drummond also compares one's ability to think to a cathedral and states, “An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral.” (93), enhancing the importance of thinking by comparing this abstract concept to an inanimate object. Therefore, the ability to think is a theme developed by the characters Rachel Brown and Henry …show more content…

In the play, it is progress that advances the human race and their knowledge of evolution, yet it is also progress that divides the human race into two distinctive factions; the creationists and the evolutionists. In the beginning, Drummond and Brady were on the same side of the fence as Drummond supports him in the election. Later on, as Drummond progresses with society while Brady paces the spot, progress brings a divide to the two men and turn them into foes that faces one another in court. This is proven when Drummond says “Perhaps it is you who have moved away - by standing still.” (67) Without even moving, Brady falls behind Drummond, showing that movement occurs inevitability. To add on, Brady’s physical character could not fit in with the society of the 1950s. He is described to have a booming voice appropriate for a former time period where the projection of the voice is needed in order to be heard. However, this character trait is particularly unnecessary for the setting of the play when projection can be done using devices such as the radio. Brady’s inability to use the radio is expressed to an extent where the radio man needs to push Brady forward towards the microphone. The radio demonstrates the progress of science and technologies while another concept represents the progress of thought. Hillsboro is a town only believing in the Christian religion whereas the rest of the

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