Inherit The Wind Henry Drummond Character Analysis

Many people are quick to jump to conclusions on people's personalities due to their appearance and their backstories. The townspeople of Hillsboro made assumptions of Henry Drummond by saying that he is a horrible agnostic, they even went as far by calling him “the devil” and attempt to restrict him from entering the town just because of the stories they hear about him. In Lawrence and Lee's Inherit The Wind, it is shown that Henry is actually a praiseworthy character throughout the play even though the townspeople labeled him as a terrible person. Throughout the play, all his motives had intelligence behind it, also being a strong advocate for the freedom of thought even when opposed by many and shows respect and stands up for Matthew Harrison

Brady, even though they are each other’s opponents.
Firstly, Henry is a bright character that uses his intellectual brilliance to accommodate obstacles, humiliate Matthew and sway the people of the courthouse from their biased ideology.

In the play, Matthew asks the judge if the people in the courtroom can take off their outer garments since the room is extremely hot. Henry takes off his sweater revealing his bright purple suspenders, and Matthew quickly mocks him by asking if he bought those in Chicago. Henry then counters that by saying, “Glad you asked me that. I brought these along special. Just so happens I bought these galluses at Peabody's General Store in your hometown, Mr. Brady. Weeping Water, Nebraska,” (Lawrence & Lee 36) humiliating Matthew. Henry knew beforehand that Matthew would try to mock his suspenders and he uses that against him. Also, when Henry is denied from bringing on the scientist, which is his entire argument to prove that Bertram is innocent, he manages to come up with a solution in a matter of seconds time to still prove Matthew wrong and persuades the people of the court by shaming Matthew. As the reader can see, Henry’s high intellect makes him an admirable

character.
Secondly, Henry believes in the freedom of thought even when it is considered to be incorrect. Throughout the play, he showed his strong belief for the freedom of thought and not to criticize to it even when it’s different or even when it’s wrong. Near the end of the play E.K Hornbeck criticises Henry for feeling somber for Matthew’s death, Henry quickly retaliates with, “Why? Because I refuse to erase a man’s lifetime? I tell you Brady had the same rights as Cates: the right to be wrong” (Lawrence and Lee 114). In that quote Henry shows that he respects Matthew’s beliefs even though it’s wrong and narrow-minded. Also, when Rachel questions his reasons of defending Bertram by saying he only wants to make speeches about the Bible, he sincerely responds with, “I care a great deal about Bert. I care a great deal about what Bert thinks.” Henry believes that Bertram has done nothing wrong just because he taught something he believes in, this shows that Henry believes in Bertram’s beliefs even when it is looked down by many in Hillsboro.
Lastly, Henry defends Matthew from E.K Hornbeck, and respects Matthew for who he is, even though Matthew is his opponent in court.

When Matthew is taken to the doctor, Hornbeck starts to insult and denigrate Matthew. After a few exchanges between the two of them Hornbeck says that Henry is too soft-hearted because he is sad about the death of Matthew. Henry then replies, “Why? Because I refuse to erase a man’s lifetime? I tell you Brady had the same right as Cates: the right to be wrong” (Lawrence and Lee 114). Henry Drummond believes that Matthew has the right to be wrong and that no one should judge him for his beliefs. Also, when Henry is informed that Matthew dies, he says, “ I can’t imagine the world without Matthew Harrison Brady.” (Lawrence and Lee 111) and “There was much greatness in this man” (Lawrence and Lee 112), this shows that Henry has the utmost respect for Matthew even when Matthew is his opponent. Furthermore, Henry is a man of dignity even for the people of opposition and is not hesitant to show

it.
Thus, with the things that Henry has done throughout the play, he is a truly commendable character, even when the townspeople make negative assumptions about him. Throughout Inherit The Wind, Henry is a very intelligent character, believes in the freedom of thought and Henry defends Matthew Harrison Brady even though Matthew is his opponent in court making him an admirable character that should be respected.