Inherit the Wind: Henry Drummond Essay

The authors, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lees, main purpose through acquire the Wind is proving that manhood hold the right to think. Henry Drummond is vital in this discovery because of his firm belief that one should hold this right. Drummonds hero archetype is the cause for his fortified feelings, and he succeeds when convincing the audience of his beliefs by revealing the contradictions underlying his witnesses inherited religious beliefs. Henry Drummond arrives in Hillsboro as an atheist, and leaves as a hero. The townspeoples initial reaction to the news that Drummond is def closureing Cates, alerts the audience. This is most app arnt when Melinda, a young girl, first sees him and screams Its the Devil (Lawrence and Lee ). Drummond does not let the citizens misconstrued interpretation of him distract him from his goal, to take a stand. Drummond uses the case as an opportunity to fight for the right to think and develop ones own truths. easy the townspeople start to see thr ough Brady and start to see the true Drummond. The Drummond who is committed to defending Cates and respects Cates for standing up when everybody else is sitting down.(Lawrence and Lee ). Brady and Drummond are alike in multiple ways such as their mutual respect for each other as well as their past together, only there are also very significant differences between them, such as their character. Drummonds reason to defend Cates is to share a message end-to-end the world as well as protect an innocent man. Meanwhile Bradys purpose is to gain popularity throughout the world, and only to help himself. Bradys neglect of dedication towards this case results in his downfall. In Act III of the play, the readers see Drummonds quick mind, his ability to function under pressure, and his creativity. When the judge refuses all of Drummonds witnesses he switches tactics and decides to call Brady to the stand as an expert on the bible.Drummonds character serves as a foil for Bradys character, D rummonds enduring demeanor and open-minded, progressive way of thinking accentuates Bradys narrow-minded way of thinking which causes the audiences support in his direction and opens their eyes to truth. The percentage transmit where the Drummonds point is finally made is when he stumps Brady. Drummonds cross-examination of Brady causes humiliation and hysteria. Brady self-destructs when his convictions about the literal truth of the Bible are questioned and proved false due to Drummond. Drummonds ack-ack gun of Brady is not mean-spirited, it isdevastating. At the same time, the power of Drummonds attack stems not so much from Drummonds wit as from the weight of Bradys egotism, stubbornness, and arrogance. basically if Brady was not so cocky and arrogant he might have been able to prevent the case going the way it did. Although the trial in Inherit the Wind concerns the battle between creationism and evolutionism, a deeper conflict exists beneath the surface. Drummond points to this more basic issue when he asks his young witness Howard whether he believes in Darwin. When the boy responds that he hasnt made up his mind, Drummond insists that the boys freedom to thinkto make up his own mindis what is actually on trial. This point in the book is where Drummonds point becomes obvious freedom of thought becomes the freedom to be wrong or to change ones mind. plain though Cates is found guilty, Drummond wins a moral victory. He reveals his integrity when he defends freedom of thought, even for those he disagrees with. When Hornbeck criticizes Brady and Bradys fundamentalist beliefs, Drummond tells Hornbeck that . . . Brady had the same right as Cates the right to be wrong (Lawrence and Lee ) Drummonds hero archetype and his initial analysis of Brady are the cause of his success with the people of Hillsboro. At the end of the play, Drummond feels the same way and is still fighting for peoples right to be wrong (Lawrence and Lee ).