Inherit the Wind (play)
Encyclopedia
Inherit the Wind is a play
by Jerome Lawrence
and Robert Edwin Lee
. The play, which debuted in 1955, is a parable
that fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial
as a means to discuss the then-contemporary McCarthy trials
.
, which resulted in John T. Scopes
's conviction for teaching Charles Darwin
's theory of
evolution
to a high school science class
, contrary to a Tennessee
state law
that prohibited the teaching of evolution. The fictional characters Matthew Harrison Brady, Henry Drummond, Bertram Cates and E. K. Hornbeck correspond to the historical figures of William Jennings Bryan
, Clarence Darrow
, Scopes, and H. L. Mencken
, respectively. However, the playwrights state in a note at the opening of the play that it is not meant to be an historical account. Their intent was to criticize the then current state of McCarthyism
or anti-Communist investigations of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA) and Senator
Joseph McCarthy
. The authors used the historical Scopes trial as the background for a drama that comments on and explores the threats to intellectual freedom
presented by the anti-communist hysteria. In 1996 Lawrence commented in an interview that, "we used the teaching of evolution as a parable, a metaphor for any kind of mind control [...] It's not about science versus religion. It's about the right to think." ....
11:29, which in the King James Bible reads:
In Act 1, Scene 3, Brady admonishes Reverend Brown with this Bible quote for alienating his daughter when he gives a fiery sermon against Cates.
Reverend Brown enters, and he has some small chat with the town's people. Everyone is all excited about Matthew Harrison Brady coming. When Howard sees the smoke from the train, everyone exits. A reporter, E.K. Hornbeck, makes himself known as a not-so-nice reporter. After Mr. Hornbeck feigns conversation with a monkey, the crowd enters, and Brady begins his speech, and everyone is excited to see him. The Mayor reads his welcoming speech, and makes Brady an "Honorary Colonel in the State Militia". The mayor then introduces Mr. Brady to Reverend Jeremiah Brown. Members of the town's Ladies Aid bring in a buffet lunch for Mr. Brady as he talks about how he will fight his opponent. Hornbeck then announces that the defense attorney will be Henry Drummond, one of Mr. Brady's old friends, and a well known lawyer. The scene ends with everyone in the town escorting Mr. and Mrs. Brady to their hotel.
News Agency", in London. Brady says that if his own brother were to challenge the faith of millions, he would still oppose him. Reverend Brown enters, stating he likes to begin his meetings on time. The rest of the crowd enters, and Brown begins saying how we believe in the spirit of God. Brown runs through all Six days of creation, and how on the 6th day, he created man, and everyone bows down to Brown. After a short speech, everyone rises again, responding in a loud roar "YES!" to each line. Brown curses the "man who has sinned against the word" (Cates), calling down hell-fire on him and damning him to hell. Rachel then runs up and tries to stop her father from Damning Bert to hell, but the Reverend "calls down this same curse on those who pray grace for this sinner." Brady stops Brown, saying how he is over zealous, and states "He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the wind." (Whence the play gets its name) The townspeople exit, singing, then Brady and Drummond have a talk about how they were good friends, and that they have drifted away. Drummond says that Brady has moved away, "by standing still."
, Ed Begley
and Tony Randall
under the direction of Margo Jones
on January 10, 1955. It debuted at Broadway's National Theatre on April 21, 1955. It played on Broadway until June 22, 1957. It was revived on Broadway twice: April 4, 1996 - May 12, 1996 and April 12, 2007 - July 8, 2007. The 1996 revival starred George C. Scott
(who played Brady in the later 1998 film version) as Drummond and Charles Durning
as Brady. In April, Scott had to leave the show mid-performance due to ill health and was replaced by Tony Randall
for that day. His illness finally led to the revival's closure. Christopher Plummer
and Brian Dennehy
starred in the 2007 revival. Kevin Spacey
(Henry Drummond) and David Troughton
(Matthew Harrison Brady) starred in a 2009 revival at The Old Vic in London.
In the 1990s Jason Miller
and Malachy McCourt
starred in the Philadelphia production that broke that city's long run records.
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
by Jerome Lawrence
Jerome Lawrence
Jerome Lawrence was an American playwright and author.-Life and career:Lawrence was born Jerome Lawrence Schwartz in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Sarah , a poet, and Samuel Schwartz, a printer. He worked for several small newspapers as a reporter/editor before moving into radio as a writer for CBS....
and Robert Edwin Lee
Robert Edwin Lee
Robert Edwin Lee was an American playwright and lyricist. With his writing partner, Jerome Lawrence, Lee worked for Armed Forces Radio during World War II; Lawrence and Lee became the most prolific writing partnership in radio, with such long-running series as Favorite Story among others.-Life and...
. The play, which debuted in 1955, is a parable
Parable
A parable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, which illustrates one or more instructive principles, or lessons, or a normative principle. It differs from a fable in that fables use animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as characters, while parables generally feature human...
that fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial
Scopes Trial
The Scopes Trial—formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes and informally known as the Scopes Monkey Trial—was a landmark American legal case in 1925 in which high school science teacher, John Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act which made it unlawful to...
as a means to discuss the then-contemporary McCarthy trials
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
.
Background
Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" TrialScopes Trial
The Scopes Trial—formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes and informally known as the Scopes Monkey Trial—was a landmark American legal case in 1925 in which high school science teacher, John Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act which made it unlawful to...
, which resulted in John T. Scopes
John T. Scopes
John Thomas Scopes , was a biology teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, who was charged on May 5, 1925 for violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in Tennessee schools...
's conviction for teaching Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
's theory of
Darwinism
Darwinism is a set of movements and concepts related to ideas of transmutation of species or of evolution, including some ideas with no connection to the work of Charles Darwin....
evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
to a high school science class
Science education
Science education is the field concerned with sharing science content and process with individuals not traditionally considered part of the scientific community. The target individuals may be children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education comprises...
, contrary to a Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
state law
Butler Act
The Butler Act was a 1925 Tennessee law prohibiting public school teachers from denying the Biblical account of man’s origin. It was enacted as Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 Section 1922...
that prohibited the teaching of evolution. The fictional characters Matthew Harrison Brady, Henry Drummond, Bertram Cates and E. K. Hornbeck correspond to the historical figures of William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
, Clarence Darrow
Clarence Darrow
Clarence Seward Darrow was an American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for defending teenage thrill killers Leopold and Loeb in their trial for murdering 14-year-old Robert "Bobby" Franks and defending John T...
, Scopes, and H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken
Henry Louis "H. L." Mencken was an American journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of American life and culture, and a scholar of American English. Known as the "Sage of Baltimore", he is regarded as one of the most influential American writers and prose stylists of the...
, respectively. However, the playwrights state in a note at the opening of the play that it is not meant to be an historical account. Their intent was to criticize the then current state of McCarthyism
McCarthyism
McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The term has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from the late 1940s to the late 1950s and characterized by...
or anti-Communist investigations of the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA) and Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy
Joseph Raymond "Joe" McCarthy was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957...
. The authors used the historical Scopes trial as the background for a drama that comments on and explores the threats to intellectual freedom
Intellectual freedom
Intellectual freedom is the right to freedom of thought and of expression of thought. As defined by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is a human right. Article 19 states:...
presented by the anti-communist hysteria. In 1996 Lawrence commented in an interview that, "we used the teaching of evolution as a parable, a metaphor for any kind of mind control [...] It's not about science versus religion. It's about the right to think." ....
Title
The play's title comes from ProverbsBook of Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs , commonly referred to simply as Proverbs, is a book of the Hebrew Bible.The original Hebrew title of the book of Proverbs is "Míshlê Shlomoh" . When translated into Greek and Latin, the title took on different forms. In the Greek Septuagint the title became "paroimai paroimiae"...
11:29, which in the King James Bible reads:
- He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:
- and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
In Act 1, Scene 3, Brady admonishes Reverend Brown with this Bible quote for alienating his daughter when he gives a fiery sermon against Cates.
Scene One
The play begins with Howard looking for worms, then Melinda appears. They have a small chat, which tells the audience about the evolution teachings. Rachel enters, and calls for Mr. Meeker (The Bailiff). They have a talk, and Rachel convinces Meeker to bring Bertram Cates (the defendant) up so Rachel and Bert can talk. During this time, we are told more about why Bert taught evolution. Rachel and Bert are in love, and they hug. Meeker comes in as they are hugging, saying he needs to sweep. Rachel then exits. Meeker talks about a time when he saw Mathew Harrison Brady, the prosecuting attorney. At the time, Bert's lawyer is not revealed, but he says he is coming from the "Baltimore Herald."Reverend Brown enters, and he has some small chat with the town's people. Everyone is all excited about Matthew Harrison Brady coming. When Howard sees the smoke from the train, everyone exits. A reporter, E.K. Hornbeck, makes himself known as a not-so-nice reporter. After Mr. Hornbeck feigns conversation with a monkey, the crowd enters, and Brady begins his speech, and everyone is excited to see him. The Mayor reads his welcoming speech, and makes Brady an "Honorary Colonel in the State Militia". The mayor then introduces Mr. Brady to Reverend Jeremiah Brown. Members of the town's Ladies Aid bring in a buffet lunch for Mr. Brady as he talks about how he will fight his opponent. Hornbeck then announces that the defense attorney will be Henry Drummond, one of Mr. Brady's old friends, and a well known lawyer. The scene ends with everyone in the town escorting Mr. and Mrs. Brady to their hotel.
Scene Two
Scene Two begins in the court house with Davenport (Circuit District Attorney) questioning Mr. Bannister for Jury duty. Mr. Bannister says he attends church on Sundays, and the prosecution accepts him. Mr. Drummond then questions Mr. Bannister, and it is revealed that Mr. Bannister is illiterate. Mr. Drummond then states "Well, you are fortunate." Mr. Bannister takes a seat in the Jury. Jesse H. Dunlap is then called to the stand, and Mr. Brady calls a motion that everyone takes off their coats, because the temperature is "now 97 degrees Fahrenheit." The judge agrees, and everyone removes their coats. The prosecution then asks Dunlap if he believes in the Bible. Dunlap states "I believe in the Holy Word of God. And I believe in Matthew Harrison Brady!" (41). Drummond then rises and says "No questions, not acceptable." After a little exchange of words between Drummond and Brady, Drummond goes up to Dunlap and asks how he is. Dunlap says he's hot, and Drummond says he is too. Drummond then excuses Dunlap. Drummond doesn't like that Brady has the title of "Colonel." The Mayor then jumps up, while Meeker calls George Sillers to the stand. The Mayor confers with the Judge, and decides to make Drummond a "Temporary Honorary Colonel." Brady then questions Sillers simply, then accepts him. Drummond asks Sillers some questions on religion, then on evolution. Drummond then accepts Sillers. Brady and Drummond have an argument that Sillers won't render impartial judgment. Brady then says that the Jury members must conform to the laws of society, and Drummond explodes at the word "conform." Brady then brings up the "Endicott Publishing Case," where Drummond made the Jury believe it was their own heads that was messing up the case. Drummond then states that he wants to stop "the clock-stoppers" from putting some medieval garbage into the Constitution. The Judge states that this is not a federal court, then Drummond says "Well, damnit, you've got to stop them somewhere." The Judge rules that both men are out of order, and that the Jury has been selected. He recesses the court until 10 the next morning. Before he leaves, he announces that Reverend Brown will hold a prayer meeting later that night. Drummond argues against it, saying that it's not fair, that he should announce an evolutionist meeting. The Judge stands that the court is recessed.Scene One
Scene Three starts with Brady being interviewed by some reporters from "ReutersReuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
News Agency", in London. Brady says that if his own brother were to challenge the faith of millions, he would still oppose him. Reverend Brown enters, stating he likes to begin his meetings on time. The rest of the crowd enters, and Brown begins saying how we believe in the spirit of God. Brown runs through all Six days of creation, and how on the 6th day, he created man, and everyone bows down to Brown. After a short speech, everyone rises again, responding in a loud roar "YES!" to each line. Brown curses the "man who has sinned against the word" (Cates), calling down hell-fire on him and damning him to hell. Rachel then runs up and tries to stop her father from Damning Bert to hell, but the Reverend "calls down this same curse on those who pray grace for this sinner." Brady stops Brown, saying how he is over zealous, and states "He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the wind." (Whence the play gets its name) The townspeople exit, singing, then Brady and Drummond have a talk about how they were good friends, and that they have drifted away. Drummond says that Brady has moved away, "by standing still."
Broadway
Inherit the Wind opened with actors Paul MuniPaul Muni
Paul Muni was an Austrian-Hungarian-born American stage and film actor...
, Ed Begley
Ed Begley
Edward James Begley, Sr. was an Academy Award-winning American actor.-Biography:Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Begley began his career as a Broadway and radio actor while in his teens. He appeared in the hit musical Going Up on Broadway in 1917 and in London the next year. He later acted in...
and Tony Randall
Tony Randall
Tony Randall was a U.S. actor, comic, producer and director.-Early years:Randall was born Arthur Leonard Rosenberg to a Jewish family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Julia and Mogscha Rosenberg, an art and antiques dealer...
under the direction of Margo Jones
Margo Jones
Margo Jones was an influential American stage director and producer best known for launching the American regional theater movement and for introducing the theater-in-the-round concept in Dallas, Texas. In 1947, she established the first regional professional company when she opened Theatre ’47 in...
on January 10, 1955. It debuted at Broadway's National Theatre on April 21, 1955. It played on Broadway until June 22, 1957. It was revived on Broadway twice: April 4, 1996 - May 12, 1996 and April 12, 2007 - July 8, 2007. The 1996 revival starred George C. Scott
George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr...
(who played Brady in the later 1998 film version) as Drummond and Charles Durning
Charles Durning
Charles Durning is an American actor. With appearances in over 100 films, Durning's memorable roles include police officers in the Oscar-winning The Sting and crime drama Dog Day Afternoon , along with the comedies Tootsie, To Be Or Not To Be and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the last two...
as Brady. In April, Scott had to leave the show mid-performance due to ill health and was replaced by Tony Randall
Tony Randall
Tony Randall was a U.S. actor, comic, producer and director.-Early years:Randall was born Arthur Leonard Rosenberg to a Jewish family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Julia and Mogscha Rosenberg, an art and antiques dealer...
for that day. His illness finally led to the revival's closure. Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
and Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy
Brian Mannion Dennehy is an American actor of film, stage and screen.-Early years:Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Hannah and Edward Dennehy, who was a wire service editor for the Associated Press; he has two brothers, Michael and Edward. Dennehy is of Irish ancestry and was...
starred in the 2007 revival. Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey, CBE is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television...
(Henry Drummond) and David Troughton
David Troughton
David Troughton is an English actor, best known for his Shakespearean roles on the British stage.- Biography :David Troughton was born in Hampstead, North London. He comes from a theatrical family: he is the son of Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton, elder brother of Michael Troughton, and father...
(Matthew Harrison Brady) starred in a 2009 revival at The Old Vic in London.
In the 1990s Jason Miller
Jason Miller (playwright)
Jason Miller was an American actor and playwright. He received the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play That Championship Season, and was widely recognized for his role as Father Damien Karras in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist...
and Malachy McCourt
Malachy McCourt
Malachy Gerard McCourt is an Irish-American actor, writer and politician. He was the 2006 Green Party candidate for governor in New York State, losing to the Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer. He is the younger brother of Frank McCourt.-Personal life:Born in Brooklyn, New York, McCourt was raised...
starred in the Philadelphia production that broke that city's long run records.
External links
- Inherit the Wind at Internet Broadway DatabaseInternet Broadway DatabaseThe Internet Broadway Database is an online database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel. It is operated by the Research Department of The Broadway League, a trade association for the North American commercial theatre community....
- Inherit the Wind Makes a Broadway Entrance - 1955
- Inherit the Wind' Returns to Broadway - NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
- Inherit the Wind Study Guide