The Theme Of Inherit The Wind :: essays research papers

     In the play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, the theme is that every person has the right to judge. One example of the theme of this play is Rachels progression towards independent thinking. In the beginning Rachel fears her father greatly. She says, "I remember feeling this course when I was a little girl. . . .But I was always more frightened of him that I was of falling. Its the same way now" (48-49). However, by the end of the book she has bad away from her father, and now has her own opinions and thoughts. Her new growth and acceptance is shown in her state handst "This is your book, Bert. Ive read it. All the way through. I dont want to think that men come from apes and monkeys. But I think thats besides the point" (111). A second example of the theme of Inherit the Wind is shown by the way Drummond acts and how forbid he becomes when he talks to Brady. In the courtroom, Brady says, "A man is on trial" (64). Drummond is extremely agitated and replies by saying, "A thinking man And he is threatened with fine and imprisonment because he chooses to speak what he thinks" (64). After their disagreement Drummond states his opinion, by saying, "I am trying to establish, Your Honor, that Howard-or Colonel Brady-or Charles Darwin-or anyone in this courtroom-or you sir-has the right to think" (64). The theme becomes more apparent throughout the play by the way Cates stands up for and defends himself. At first, Bert Cates is very unsure of himself and is not sure if what he did was correct. Cates questions Drummond as to whether he should stay with the case or give in.