Inherit the Wind
Inherit the Wind
Inherit the Wind is based on the John Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. This was based on whether or not fundamentalism or creationism should be taught in schools. The title Inherit the Wind is an allusion to the Bible verse , "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart." The allusion to this verse has several applications in the play. In Act 2, Scene 1, Reverend Brown "troubleth his own house" by isolating his daughter, when he gives a fiery sermon against Cates. Reverend Brown clearly states that his own blood should “burn in hellfire for supporting Bertram Cates”. Brady states this proverb to Reverend Brown, indicating that Brown may win the court case, but he will lose his daughter in the process and, therefore, Inherit the Wind or nothing. This means that to Inherit the Wind one will not gain anything, but they will lose something. Within Act 3, Brady defends Bert and tritely uses a bible verse against Reverend Brown, because Reverend Brown is “troubling his own house”. But on the other hand, Brady also “Inherits the Wind” because he dies of a “busted belly”. Finally, the town itself "inherits the wind". As Hornbeck points out, the town makes such a fuss and turns the trial into a great deal. The trial draws national attention, and its residents are made to look both inflexible and ignorant. Their reputation is ruined even though they won the court case. The town may have won the battle but they certainly did not win the war considering the case was passed on to the Supreme Court.
Inherit the Wind is based on the John Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. This was based on whether or not fundamentalism or creationism should be taught in schools. The title Inherit the Wind is an allusion to the Bible verse , "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart." The allusion to this verse has several applications in the play. In Act 2, Scene 1, Reverend Brown "troubleth his own house" by isolating his daughter, when he gives a fiery sermon against Cates. Reverend Brown clearly states that his own blood should “burn in hellfire for supporting Bertram Cates”. Brady states this proverb to Reverend Brown, indicating that Brown may win the court case, but he will lose his daughter in the process and, therefore, Inherit the Wind or nothing. This means that to Inherit the Wind one will not gain anything, but they will lose something. Within Act 3, Brady defends Bert and tritely uses a bible verse against Reverend Brown, because Reverend Brown is “troubling his own house”. But on the other hand, Brady also “Inherits the Wind” because he dies of a “busted belly”. Finally, the town itself "inherits the wind". As Hornbeck points out, the town makes such a fuss and turns the trial into a great deal. The trial draws national attention, and its residents are made to look both inflexible and ignorant. Their reputation is ruined even though they won the court case. The town may have won the battle but they certainly did not win the war considering the case was passed on to the Supreme Court.