Inherit the Wind

This play delves into some of the arguments in the ongoing debate between evolution and creationism. Do you find one side’s arguments more compelling than the other? Do you think the characters could have made stronger arguments in support of their points? Write a personal essay explaining your perspective.

At the end of the play, it is revealed that Drummond is defending Bert not because of his own belief in evolution, but because of his belief in critical thought. Why is Drummond’s motivation important to his character and to the play?

Research the real Scopes trial. Learn more about what really happened, and which details of the trial made it into the play. Did anything you learned surprise you? Did learning about the real trial change your perspective on the play? Why or why not?

Compare and contrast Inherit the Wind with another text with similar themes or structure. Some options may include Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose or A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt.

Why do you think Brady and the Judge refuse to allow Drummond to call any scientists forward as witnesses? Consider the real events of the Scopes trial and those events’ impact on the writing of the play when formulating your answer.

Do some research into the history of McCarthyism. Write a timeline of major events, keeping in mind how those events might have influenced the writing of Inherit the Wind. How does this knowledge enrich your understanding of the play?

John Scopes was never jailed in the real Scopes trial. Why do you think Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee changed that detail in their play? Do you think their choice contributes to or detracts from the play’s themes?

Hornbeck is the only character in the play who is explicitly confirmed to be non-religious. How does this detail contribute to his characterization, in contrast with the rest of the characters in the play?