Inherit the Wind

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Summary: What a play!!
Review: This is great playwrrighting. A taut, exciting, play that raises important questions, it is still timely today, as Darwin's theory is still under attack by those who believe in Intelligent Design. Einstein once called Piaget's theory of child development "So simple, only a genius could think of it." So it is with Darwin. It has withstood countless attacks, and there has been no credible alternative theory proposed.

Well, back to the play. All the characters (except Rachel, the love interest) are based on the main characters in the Monkey Trial. Some of the dialogue comes from the actual transcript of the trial, but most of it was written by Lawrence and Lee. Luckily, it is magnificently dramatic.

For those who want a more factual rendition of what went on in Dayton, read "Summer of the Gods", an excellent book that will fill in the gaps. Like the fledgling ACLU represented Scopes, not Darrow, who, quite to the ACLU's chagrin, decided to "offer" his services because of his opposition to Fundamentalists trying to insert religion in the public schools. (The ACLU saw it more as a free speech issue.) It is a fascinating book and should be read along with "Inherit the Wind" to get another perspective on what went on that summer.

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Summary: Best play i ever read!
Review: This play is great. I read it in 10th grade and i loved it. It inspired me to become a lawyer and defend what i believe in. Lawrence and Lee did a wonderful job depicting such a historical event such as the Scopes Monkey Trial. This play is awesome and i recommend it to everyone! DEFEND WHAT YOU BELIEVE!!

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Summary: One of the Modern Theatre's Best
Review: 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.