...raises him above the other creatures of the earth? The power of his brain to reason.” Aside from evolution being on trial, the right to think is also on trail in the Scopes case. Evolution is change of species over time, not saying we came from apes. You can believe in evolution without it contradicting your religion. Through Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and the Scopes Trial I have learned a lot about evolution and how it might of happened. Inherit the Wind and the Scopes trial have very different purposes. The Scopes trial is more to inform us on the trial. For example, “There is never a duel with the truth. The truth always wins and we are not afraid of it. The truth is no coward. The truth does not need the law. The truth does not need the force of government.” Scopes has the cold hard facts, not un-textual extras. However Inherit the Wind is more to entertain. “How flattering it is to know I'm being clipped.” There are tons of examples for sarcasm in this book, and the reason you put sarcasm in a book is to keep it enjoyable and lively....
Words: 469 - Pages: 2
...In the movie “Inherit the Wind”, people made wrong choices, good choices, and no matter what they did someone had to suffer some consequences. But who really suffered the consequences in “Inherit the Wind”. I personally think that Bert Cates suffered the most. There are many reasons why and this essay will explain those reasons. When Bert’s girlfriend (Rachel Brown) goes up to the stand as a witness, Mr. Brady starts to pressure her. She seems to be holding back something that could be good evidence to the case. Mr. Brady starts yelling at her saying, “Tell us what you’re holding back! Tell us what you’re not saying! Say it! Say it! Say it!” She then starts to cry from the pressure. Had Bert not started talking about evolution...
Words: 420 - Pages: 2
...play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee chronicles the trial of Bertram Cates—a school teacher in Tennessee who breaks the law by teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution instead of creationism. Matthew Harrison Brady, the prosecuting attorney on the case, exhibits prominent characteristics which directly affects the way he conducts the trial. Brady displays various examples throughout the play of how his arrogance, insecurity, and intolerance influences the way he acts. To begin with, Matthew Harrison Brady’s arrogance is an aspect that altered his conduction of the trial. An example is when Brady learns Henry Drummond will be the defence attorney on the case. Regarding this piece of information, Brady says, “If...
Words: 755 - Pages: 4
...only did it lead to the notorious Scopes Trial that summer, but it remained a dramatic symbol of the antievolution movement in the United States for several decades. The Tennessee Academy of Science played an important role in the Scopes case at the appellate level, submitting an extensive legal brief challenging the law's constitutionality. The Tennessee Supreme Court nonetheless upheld the statute in 1927 while overturning Scopes' conviction on a technicality. In the years that followed, occasional efforts to repeal the state's antievolution law surfaced in the legislature,...
Words: 701 - Pages: 3
...Written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, the play Inherit the Wind is a fictitious spin off of the historical Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, which debated the concept of evolutionism vs. creationism and, in general, a person’s right to think. Brady and Drummond, two lawyers appointed to Bertram Cates’ trial are both powerful characters, different yet they portray many similarities through their behaviour. Demonstrated through various personal flaws, strengths, and their own particular relationships with religion, both contrasting characters function as an important mechanism by which the play’s predominate theme of the importance of freedom of thought are emphasized. The ability to think, or exercise free thought is, philosophically, the foundation of our existence. You can not become all that God created you to be until you embrace your identity — the unmistakably unique and flawed you that God intentionally made for a purpose. The high and almighty Brady was even flawed, he showed a great deal of love towards the public. Before the time of radio and television, if he controlled the media, he controlled the masses. He became who the community wanted to hear, dependant of the flock of followers he had created behind him. Lavished with all their praise and glory Brady built up an ample amount of confidence in himself. The power he had gained made him feel secure and he was always seeking for more, this becomes evident when he runs for president in three consecutive elections...
Words: 1477 - Pages: 6
...HIGHER CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE-------------------------------------------------- THE SOCIAL GOSPEL--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FUNDAMENTALS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE SCOPES TRIAL----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONCLUSION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BIBLIOGRAPHY---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Introduction The word fundamentalism is surrounded and associated with disturbing controversy in our contemporary society. Although the term fundamentalism has become a somewhat theological dirty word, in connection with the explosive theory of evolution, espoused by Charles Darwin; and in relation to the world famous Scopes trial, the...
Words: 1738 - Pages: 7
...| Research Paper | Inherit the Wind | | Ronald Ma | 103945967 | | Research Paper: Inherit the Wind “Inherit the Wind” is a film that addresses the age old debate on evolution vs creationism, and is based off of the Scopes Trial back in 1925. The film takes set in a fundamentalist town, Hillsboro, where a teacher, Bertram Cates, is being held on trial for introducing some of Darwin’s theories of evolution to the kids in his class. Although being a very old film, it reveals a lot of the crucial problems and issues with society that is even apparent in today’s societies. The town of Hillsboro is depicted as a place filled with narrow minded people who blindly follow their statesman, Matthew Brady. Throughout this film, many reoccurring themes are seen. The many themes including but not limited to: individualism, fundamentalism, free speech, critical thinking and progress. When watching this film, the audience is immediately presented with two clear sides that are at conflict. During the post discussion held in class, a classmate pointed out that many problems in today’s society stem from religion, and that many international conflicts are caused because of religion. While this argument certainly has it merits, I do not believe this is the main focal point the film is trying to depict. There is no doubt that religion causes a split in the community but that is only because of how the individuals choose to interpret and relay their sacred and biblical readings....
Words: 1629 - Pages: 7
...Scopes Trial Name Institutional Affiliation Scopes Trial America was just recovering from the after effects of the world war. It was a common trend for people specifically from the rural areas to be nostalgic. Their desire was to maintain simplicity and engage in the normal activities they used to before the war. The religious turned to their religious practices and beliefs. The south and mid westerners are specifically remembered for their strong beliefs. Faith was associated with providing consolation and peace. Consequently, the rise of fundamentalist religion took shape. The fundamentalists relied on the literal aspects of the biblical teachings. The theory of evolution was therefore seen as ridicule to their faith. They considered it a threat especially because they believed they were the only one teaching the truth. The believers looked into ways through which they could terminate the theory of evolution from the society thus; they began with the education sector. Laws were passed in the South outlawing teaching of Darwinian theories in class by 1925. The towns of Tennessee, and Florida regarded the law significantly. In the summer of the same year, a school tutor by the name John Scopes of Dayton violated it. Consequently, Scopes was put under trial. The prosecution intentionally staged the case to attract the attention of the public throughout Tennessee. Although Scopes doubted to having taught the Darwinian theory, he incriminated himself, therefore serving as...
Words: 645 - Pages: 3
...The Scopes “Monkey” Trial was an American legal case in 1925 which involved a 24-year old high school teacher named John Thomas Scopes who was prosecuted for teaching the theory of evolution. The trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee on July 25th 1995. Scopes was accused of violating the Tennessee’s Butler Act by teaching Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. The Butler Act forbids the teaching of theory that goes against the biblical story of Creationism. Scopes was found guilty and was charged a fine of $100. In 1925, the Tennessee legislature passed the Butler Act which prohibits the teaching of the theory of evolution in all the universities, normal and all other public school in Tennessee. Any teacher who fails to abide the law would be fined not less than a $100 or more than $500. Other southern states followed suit. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) offered to defend the teaching of evolution. Scopes agreed to purposefully incriminate himself so the ACLU could challenge the Butler’s Act....
Words: 543 - Pages: 3
...The Scopes Monkey Trial The Trial of the Century, Scopes Monkey Trial, The Monkey Trial these are a few names the State of Tennessee v. John Thomas legal case could be called. This court case was an unusual one because the State of Tennessee had passed an antievolutionary law named the Butler Act that outlawed the teaching of evolution in the classroom (New World Encyclopedia). While the scopes trial looked like ballyhoo, because of its substance it was actually important to America because of its substance and final showdown. The Scopes Trial had almost a circus or carnival like element to it. Especially in the town of Dayton Tennessee where the trial was being held because of a multitude of revival tents and other various things (Pierce)....
Words: 407 - Pages: 2
...The National Association of Biology Teachers and three teachers filed suit against Waters, the chair of the Tennessee State Textbook Commission, in Daniel v. Waters. Before any information about this suit was heard, a second suit was filed against Waters by Harold Steele and two other members of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Daniel v. Waters struck down the “equal time” law as it violated the First Amendment. In Steele v. Waters, the local court ruled in favor of Steele, citing the statute was in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendment. However, the state of Tennessee then appealed the decision. The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in favor of Steele and supported the ruling of the local court. Despite these two rulings in 1975, states continued to defend “equal time” laws until Edwards v. Aguillard in 1987. In this case, Louisiana had passed the “Creationism Act”, which prohibited teaching evolution in public schools, unless accompanied with creation science. This act did not mandate that either topic must be taught, unless the other is taught. Those that opposed the bill and filed suit included parents, teachers and religious officials. They argued the story of creation is Biblical and should not be taught in schools. The defendant, Edwards, argued teaching both theories together allows students to choose which theory aligns with their personal beliefs. The court ruled in favor of Aguillard on the fact the...
Words: 571 - Pages: 3
...the Wind” was a film that was originally released in 1960, however it has been remade several times since that time. It was directed by Stanley Kramer and written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee. It is based on the true story of John “Monkey” Scope’s trial of being convicted of teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in a high school, even though it was illegal in the state of Tennessee. The story is told in Tennessee around the time of 1925. The film shows issues between cultures about how some believe in evolution and some believe in the Church, however, the major issue is the one on how Americans can think for themselves. I feel the movie depicted the issues in neither a negative nor a positive manner. I think it was more of a historical film than a film that takes a side on either side of the issue. It is negative in the fact that the way it was handled and the laws at the time thoroughly showed that it was illegal. At the time, teaching the theory of evolution was illegal in high school. The thought of children learning of how humans came to be outside of what the bible described was blasphemy. The people showing hatred towards Bertram Cates, the name of the character in the film that portrayed Scope, was a prime example of the way people viewed those who thought this type of way. I feel that it depicted society in a negative manner more than the situation itself. In the film, you heard citizens singing for the defendant and his attorney for their death. This...
Words: 701 - Pages: 3
...ACLU, which only formed five years prior was determined to defend any teacher willing to challenge this law; Such a teacher, was a young Biologist at Dayton High School, John T. Scopes who agreed to be tried for violating the Butler Act and was charged. The ACLU, for all its efforts, at the time had little success, took the case and hired Clarence Darrow, a famous trial lawyer of the era, to defend Scopes in, The State of Tennessee v John Thomas Scopes, commonly referred to, as The Scopes Trial. The prosecution countered with, Christian fundamentalist, William Jennings Bryan, who proposed that only creationism should be taught in school....
Words: 430 - Pages: 2
...Modeled after the Scopes Monkey Trial, Inherit the Wind has the citizens of Hillsboro remain intransigent in their observance to Christianity and reject the concept of evolution, resulting in the trial that would bring attention from everywhere in the country. Referred to as the “buckle on the Bible Belt” (Act 1. Scene 1), the town is known for its strict adherence to its religion and puts a school teacher named Bert Cates on trail with the intent of imprisoning him for teaching evolution since it was illegal to do so. Although characters such as prosecuter Matthew Harrison Brady condemn Cates as a sinner and blame him for spoiling the minds of the town’s youth, he has never read the works of Darwin to understand why evolution would be taught. When questioned by the defense attorney Drummond, Brady...
Words: 452 - Pages: 2
...The Scopes Monkey trial of 1925 is considered a success for the teaching of biology in the United States. Although John T. Scopes was found guilty and the christian plantiffs won, the spokemen for the case were labeled as silly in their explaination of concepts in the book of Genesis, such as Adam and Eve and Noah's Ark. Even after the violation of the Tennessee law, other states were less willing to propsing laws similar to the Butler Act (Cornish,2007,para.3). The trial was just the beginning of a century-long war between creationalists and scientists. The conflict also turns into a christian vs atheist debate, due to the overwelming amount of atheists who support the theory of evolution. After reading Randy Moore's article, I was surprised by the number of Americans who want creationalism to be incooperated in a biology curriculum. Based on statistics provided by Randy Moore, while half the U.S. Population support...
Words: 1191 - Pages: 5
