Inherit the Wind Study Guide
Fact and Fiction
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Real Life / Inherit the Wind PlayPlace / Dayton, Tennessee
Time / July 1925
Prosecuting attorney / William Jennings Bryan
Defense attorney / Clarence Darrow
Biology teacher/ Defendant / John Scopes
Newspaper Reporter / H.L. Menken
Outcome of trial / Guilty; charged $100
Act One, Scene 1
1)Read the introductory page by the authors of the play. Identify the setting and explain its significance. Is the drama an historical account of the trial?
2)What is the topic of conversation between Howard and Melinda? Why is this conversation significant?
3)Why has Rachel come to the jail? Describe her “frame of mind” and reaction while she is there.
4)Who is Bert Cates and why is he in jail? What does Rachel ask him to do? Why do you think she makes this request?
5)What does the banner read that the townspeople display to welcome Brady? What does the banner tell the reader about the mentality of the townspeople?
6)Who is Hornbeck and how do the townspeople react to his arrival?
7)Describe the arrival of Brady. What does he proclaim as his primary purpose in coming?
8)To what does Hornbeck compare Cates and the upcoming trial? Why is this significant?
9)Explain the conversation between Brady and Rachel. What damaging evidence does Brady obtain from Rachel?
10)How is Reverend Brown portrayed? What is his significance to the drama?
11)What honor does the mayor confer on Brady?
12)Who is coming to defend Cates? How does Reverend Brown characterize him?
13)What does Hornbeck mean when he tells Rachel, “I’m not the serpent, Little Eva”?
14)What does the conversation between Hornbeck and Rachel reveal about Brady’s motivations for coming to Hillsboro?
Act One, Scene 2
15)What is significant about Drummond’s approval of Bannister as a juror?
16)Why does Drummond reject Dunlap as a juror?
17)How does Drummond react when the judge calls Brady “Colonel”? Why does Drummond react this way? How is the issue resolved?
18)What controversy arises over the selection of Sillers as the final juror?
19)Identify the “commercial announcement” to which Drummond objects? What is his argument?
20)What does Rachel accuse Drummond of doing? What is his response?
21)When Rachel announces that Brady wants her to testify against Bert, how does he react? What does he tell Rachel?
Act Two, Scene 1
22)Describe the opening scene of Act Two. What is significant about the tone?
23)How do the townspeople view Reverend Brown? How does he captivate his audience? What motivates him?
24)What effect does Reverend Brown’s speech have on the crowd? On Rachel? On Brady?
Act Two, Scene 2
25)Summarize Howard’s testimony (the statements he made while in court).
26)What does Brady emphasize in his summation (closing argument)?
27)What does Drummond stress in his rebuttal (response to Brady)? Do you agree with him? Explain your answer.
28)What does Rachel share about Cates’ reason for dropping out of church? How does Cates clarify his statement?
29)How do you react to Brady’s questioning of Rachel? Do you think he is fair and unbiased?
30)What does Drummond attempt to do in presenting his arguments for the defense?
31)What does Drummond do as a last resort? Why do you think he does this?
32)Summarize Brady’s testimony and its effect on the trial; on the spectators; on himself.
33)How does Drummond manage to bring in scientific evidence? How does he use this to his advantage?
34)Why do you think Brady begins to ramble and recite books of the Bible?
Act Three
35)Explain what each of the primary characters is doing as they wait for the jury’s decision.
36)Summarize the conversation between Cates and Drummond.
37)Explain the significance of Drummond’s story about Golden Dancer.
38)Why is the arrival of the radio newsman important?
39)What is the verdict and what effect does it have on the crowd? On Brady? On Cates?
40)What does Cates tell the court in his final statement before his sentence is passed? What is the reaction?
41)Explain Cates’ sentence and its aftermath.
42)Summarize Brady’s speech after the trial is over. Why do you think the judge allows him to speak? What is the final result?
43)Explain the resolution. What is significant about the confrontation between Drummond and Hornbeck.
Inherit the Wind Study Guide