Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee
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Book Reviews of Inherit the Wind
Book Review: Still relevant
Summary: 5 Stars
It was written decades ago, inspired on a famous trial that had taken place years earlier, yet Inherit the Wind feels as powerful and relevant today as, I imagine, did when it first opened on Broadway. That's a testament to the fantastic writing, of course, but unfortunately also shows how little we've learned since then.Book Review: The Spark
Summary: 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this in my freshman English class years ago, but it stands out as a major turning point for me. Because of this book, I was inspired to write. Nuf said.Book Review: Still Relevant
Summary: 4 Stars
In a world that is still divided over the wide range dilemma of religion, Inherit the Wind is brilliant in the manner where it analyzes its complexity. The premise is relatively simple. Based on the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1945, the plot charges forward when a young teacher, Cates, breaks a local rule banning the teaching of evolution in the classroom. He is arrested, and placed on trial within a not-so-welcoming town. Yet the real drama takes center stage when the trial moves beyond violating a local rule. Matthew Harrison, the national fundamentalist hero, views this trial as an opportunity to gain popularity across fundamentalist Christianity and decides to take on the case. His staunch orthodox is intensely rivaled by Henry Drummond, the avid atheist set on transforming the small town's approach to the bible and opposing view points. The novel's authors, Lawrence and Lee, take great care to expand the issue over the theory evolution to a broader context of the various forms of biblical interpretation. Lawrence and Lee bring up dilemmas such as whether or not the bible and religion itself have the capacity to correlate. The idea that the authors expanded the issue of evolution to a higher complexity focusing on biblical interpretation is in my opinion the greatest portion of the play, and deserves the reader's attention throughout.
Yet, while the variety of opinions were equally considered in the plot, they aren't the only portions that add to the novel's complexity and beauty. The famous political leaders themselves, Harrison and Drummond, are given traits that give justice to the men that they were based on. William Jennings Bryan, Harrison's character, was known to the public in the same form that Harrison was portrayed. Darrow, represented by Drummond, was a passionate atheist concerned for the law. The authors made it a point to stay true to the politicians' personas while at the same time steering the play away from a typical historical representation.
While in my opinion, the play had a liberal bias, it in no way went out to outright ridicule a conservative interpretation. What it did instead was demand that the general public remain open minded. It argues that people of all religious and political ideologies come together and discuss differences that in no way impede others from freely practicing what they believe. This in combination with the criticisms of our nation's justice system garner it the raves it deserves.
Book Review: <Trial of the century> review
Summary: 4 Stars
Although this book is fundamentally written upon the Scopes Monkey Trial, it is not "about" the Monkey Trial, but is all about the Freedom of thought.
People in Hillsboro are confined to one belief, thinking of no other alternative. Their ability to think is there, but dormant and it does not make sense to them. However, as the Hillsboro townspeople participate and watch the Cates Trial, they slowly begin to think about what they believe in and the way they act.
This book also clearly portrays the theme of American Religiousness VS Separation of Church and the State. Throughout the book, I could see that people were thinking that the Church and the State as one body, and that religion is the most "holy" thing that should not be questioned at all. If church and state are two different bodies, this argument over Creationism VS Evolutionism would not exist. Drummond, the attorney who defends Cates continuously questions his beliefs on behalf of the trial to prove his point whereas Brady, who does not believe in Evolutionism, leaves his belief of Creationism alone, thinking that what he believes is unquestionable.
Hornbeck, an arrogant reporter from Chicago presumes that Drummond believes that people of Hillsboro are going up the mainstream, and are very ignorant about their Christian beliefs. However, Drummond chides at Hornbeck, telling him that the Hillsboro townspeople have their right to have their own beliefs, and in the same manner, other people have the right to believe in Evolutionism.
The 1st Amendment of United States Constitution states the freedom of religion. This book is a hostile yet influential declaration not about Creationism VS Evolution but about people's freedom to think.
Book Review: Good play, but I prefer the real thing.
Summary: 4 Stars
Inherit the Wind is a fictional play of a real trial that did happen in the early part of 20th century, tackling on the education of the students on evolution. While I did like the play, I prefer to read the real thing: the transcripts, the description of the atmosphere, and the whole nine yards. What I really didn't like about Inherit the Wind is how childish it seems. Most of the time, I was feeling, "Is this a kangaroo court or what?" Also, I didn't like a few of the characters, most especially E.K. Hornbeck the reporter from Baltimore. I like to say that I felt a deep meaning within the play, but that's not the case. It's basically a mocking of the religious people and their concept of life, and take that away, there isn't much else to speak of in the play because there is not enough of substance. In the end of the play, the idea of evolution eventually wins. Of course, I am all for it because evolution makes the most logical sense. All in all, Inherit the Wind is a good play filled with humor, but there is not enough of substance.