When analyzing the play Inherit the Wind, it is essential to know about the background history. Back in the 1950s, the theory of evolution disregarding God was not heard off (other then the crazy philosophies of Charles Darwin and other scientists.) Mr.Cates, the main character playing the role of a teacher, was sent to court on offense of violating a public law. He taught his class that the world was created based on a serious of events that God had no part in making. His lawyer, Drummond tried to explain to the court Cates’s views by saying, "Darwin moved us forward to a hilltop, where we could look back and see the way from which we came. But for this view, this insight, this knowledge, we must abandon our faith in the pleasent poetry of Genesis."(p.83) Now, Cates was a very smart man, he wanted to teach science the new way it was being discovered to be no matter if it was against laws or regulations. He was a character that was not afraid to take risks in a world that he knew would shut his thinking down. Inherit the wind connects to the topic of religion because it demonstrates how it is intertwined in peoples beliefs about science. Religion is involved in many parts of schooling. This simulated court case, as shown in the play, acts as a real example of what could have happened. It shows that if men like Cates did not risk their lives to teach their beliefs, our world could never change. In several instances in the play, Cates displays the humanity of an open, forgiving mind, as do the other evolutionists and progressives. Ironically, forgiveness comes more readily to Cates than to his stubborn Christian neighbors—foremost among them Reverend Brown, whose fire-and-brimstone sermons led Cates to abandon the church. Although he did not win the trial, he defiantly made a big impression on the community he was in as well as his student Rachel. It is using the two perspectives of how one man believes teaching evolution is necessary and another who is devoted to the word of God and his creations.
This adds to the definition of how religion is a form of expression to all but many still think that it is more personal and should be confined to the outside world, including educational establishments.
I thought this was a very informative blog and i understand the play and what it was about by reading it. I understood what you were trying to point out clearly but i would change the wording of the last sentence to make it more specific to the viewpoints in the play like: ...is a form of expression to all but many still think that it is more personal and should be confined to the outside world, including educational establishments? just a thought.. really good blog!
ReplyDeleteI like your summary of the play because you described how this story is relevant to history, and issues today. It was clear what points you put across, but it seemed liek your last sentence was an afterthought, even though you analysis seemed to be leading up to that core point.If you went a little further in depth as to why religino should be confined to the outside world, it would be great--especially because you have a lot evidence supporting that point. Other wise, yo blog is great.
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