Inherit the Wind

Characters:

1. Bertrand Cates:
   main character
   science teacher
   24 years old
   defendant
   
2. M. H. Brady:
   prosecutor
   christian fundamentalist
   political figure: ran for president several times but lost
   "hero"
   "country guy"
   
3. Henry Drummond:
   defense attorney
   against the fundamentalist
   free thinker
   does not care about what people think about him
   "city guy"
   
4. E.K. Hornbeck:
   cynical
   journalist
   hates Brady's fundamentalism
   "city guy"
   
5. Rev. J. Brown:
   pillar of christian fundamentalism
   pastor / preacher
   preaches "fire and bromstone"
   
6. Rachel Brown:
   daughter of Rev. J. Brown
   lover of Cates
   conflict: belief? (follow the beliefs of her father or her lover)
   grade two teacher
   
7. Judge:
   supposed to be impartial but shows favoritism towards Brady
   open to free thought
   
8. Townspeople:
   reserved
   conservative
   fundamentalists
   evolution
   strong / good values
   "country people"

Study Questions

1. How does Howard and Melinda’s interaction at the beginning of the play foreshadow
the major issues of the play?
IRREVELANT

2. What does Meeker, the bailiff’s, willingness to let Cates out of jail to meet with Rachel
tell us both about his offence and the town?
It tells us that Cates is not a threat to anyone and the whole atmosphere is easy going.

3. What kind of town does Hillsboro seem to be in its preparations for Brady’s arrival?
It is very religious and proud of their beliefs (they want to show their beliefs to the outsiders).

4. What does Brady’s relationship with his wife tell us about his character?
That Brady seems insecure although he had a very high stature.

5. What does Brady’s conversation with Rachel, and subsequent behaviour afterwards tell
us about his character?
That he seemed to be very manipulative and sly.

6. How is Drummond characterized by the townspeople? Later when we meet him do
they seem to be correct?
Drummond is seen as a heathen and unethical. At first it seems, but later we are proven wrong.

7. What role does Hornbeck play in the action of the play? What is the significance of the
way he speaks?
He is a troublemaker, a cynic. He is a non-believer who supports Drummond. Self Centered. Close minded. condescending

8. Do the elements of the trial seem fair to you? Why or why not?
That J also names him colonel; however, the J disregards all his witnesses

9. What do you think Rachel’s motivations for asking Cates to drop the trial and admit
his guilt stem from?


10. What does Brady’s intervention in Reverend Brown’s sermon say about him? Does
this contradict what you thought about him as a character?


11. What is the central issue that Drummond is arguing for in the courtroom?


12. Do you think it is fair that none of Drummond’s expert witnesses are allowed to act as
witnesses?