Inherit the Wind

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Recommended: Controversies in religion and public education

Inherit the Wind is about a 24-year-old teacher named Bertram T. Cates, who is arrested for teaching Darwin's Theory of Evolution to his junior high-class. Some high-profile Hillsboro town’s people press charges and have Cates arrested for teaching evolutionism in a stringent Christian town. A famous lawyer named Henry Drummond defends him; while a fundamentalist politician Matthew Harrison Brady prosecutes. The story takes place in Hillsboro, which is a small town in Tennessee. Cates is merely trying to teach to his class that there is more to life than just what the Bible teaches. He is not trying to be nonreligious; rather he is just teaching his class to think outside the box. The town’s people think that Cates is trying to push devilish thoughts through evolutionism. Matthew Harrison Brady is the fundamentalist hero to the locals. He prides himself on doing what’s right in his eyes, and according to him, doing what’s right is doing exactly what the Bible says without question. Brady has a very strong following from the people of Hillsboro, to include a parade and marching band. The mayor of Hillsboro names Brady an honorary colonel in the state militia. This later comes up as an issue in the trial in which the mayor ends up temporarily honoring Drummond as a colonel as well. Brady is portrayed throughout the movie as a leader. He is highly respected and honored by the locals. This rubs off on Brady, making him extremely pompous and arrogant. His ego eventually gets the best of him as it literally compromises his prosecution in the trial. Brady resembles many of the same characteristics of a cult leader. He has a strong following by speaking to the issues that the locals want to hear. However, he is smart, charming in a ... ... middle of paper ... ...rvative and fundamentalist Christian perspective. They are content with their elected officials and church leaders as their day-to-day environment never presents them with any new or contrary ideas. This presents a problem to anyone attempting to try something new. In small, closed up communities like Hillsboro, free thinking is met with opposition and criticism as a sign of fear for the unknown. Leaders of a new movement or way of life will continue to be faced with this opposition throughout life. The good leaders will meet the opposition with patience, sincerity and respect; while other leaders will attempt to force their beliefs on others, making people apprehensive to join or share the same beliefs. These forceful leaders although usually few and far between, make a shoddy name for those looking to just preach their beliefs and thoughts to willing followers.

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