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Inherit the Wind

Inherit the Wind. By Robert E. Lee & Jerome Lawrence. Overview. The Play/Authors Historical Context/Setting Main characters Themes. The Play. Opened 1955 on Broadway Made into a film in 1960, 1988, 1999 Historical fiction not meant to be a documentary

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Inherit the Wind

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  1. Inherit the Wind By Robert E. Lee & Jerome Lawrence

  2. Overview • The Play/Authors • Historical Context/Setting • Main characters • Themes

  3. The Play • Opened 1955 on Broadway • Made into a film in 1960, 1988, 1999 • Historical fiction not meant to be a documentary • Parable satirizing McCarthyism

  4. The Authors • Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee collaborated on 39 plays together • Both ended their careers in L. A.

  5. Historical Context/Setting • Scopes v. State of Tennessee, 1925 • A test case, not a real trial • Viewed as an historic national debate played out in a courtroom • Called the “Trial of the Century”& the “Monkey Trial.” Google Earth

  6. Charges Against John Scopes • In violation of The Butler Act • The Butler Act forbade the exclusive teaching of the theory of evolution in the state of TN • So what’s the big deal?

  7. Theory of Evolution • Posited in early 19th Century • Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin of the Species • Published in 1859 • Not intended to incite controversy • Intended audience of scientists

  8. DarWin’s Theories • Simply put, all life changes and evolves over time to adapt to its environment • Natural Selection • Conflicts with literal translation of the Bible

  9. Dark Side of Evolutionary Theory • Many unintended results/interpretations • Eugenics • Social Darwinism • “Survival of the fittest” • Nazi Germany

  10. Facts about Scopes trial • ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) advertised for a willing violator of the Butler Act • Paid for legal fees, fines • Max fine $500 • No jail time

  11. Facts about Scopes trial cont. • Scopes – high school football coach and substitute teacher hired by local merchants to violate the law • Why would they do this? $

  12. John Scopes Sub teacher Answered ad from ACLU and local merchants Morally indifferent Bert Cates Full time bio teacher Stands moral ground Spends time in jail and faces serious charges Portrayed as a hero Historical people and fictional counterparts

  13. William Jennings Bryant Prosecutor Presidential candidate 3 times Hero for small town, rural America Matthew Harrison Brady Prosecutor Presidential candidate 3 times Portrayed as a gluttonous, egomaniacal blowhard Characters cont.

  14. Clarence Darrow Preeminent attorney Favored controversial cases “Leftist” Paid by ACLU Henry Drummond Defense attorney Seeks symbolic cases Paid by Baltimore Herald Characters cont.

  15. H.L. Mencken Writer, journalist for Baltimore Sun Witty, sarcastic social critic E.K. Hornbeck Reporter for Baltimore Herald Sharp-tongued journalist Supports Cates while jeering locals Characters cont.

  16. Themes • Traditionalism vs. Modernism • Growing pains of American culture • Industrial Revolution, Urbanization, and multiculturalism

  17. The End

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