Inherit the Wind Case

The United States is a country under the rule of law, which abides by the law. But in the play “inherit the wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E.Lee. In the 1950s, the town people are religious zealots who are hard to accept the freedom of thought. At that time, the one of main character, Bertram Cates expressed a different point of view with the society. The courtroom debt around him arises. The defense suffered through many unfair circumstances throughout the drama “Inherit the wind”, which demonstrate the play’s depiction was too unrealistic. Its depiction of the judge and jury, the attitude of the town’s people as extreme believers in creationism and the town’s bias as presented through the town’s love for Matthew Harrison Brady, are exaggerations that mislead people about real trials.

                 The close-mindedness and prejudice of judge and jury ensured the trial’s unfair. In the play “inherit the wind” , Drummond tried to select jury member as fair as possible and when Drummond objects a venire man who believes in Matthew Harrison Brady, Drummond was blamed by Brady and the judge. But in the real American trial, the prospective juries are randomly selected to site in the jury box. Secondly Drummond used the most brilliant legal strategies that calling Brady to stand as an expert on the Bible, and then making him look like a fool, the jury still finds Cates guilty. Lastly, Drummond tries to call fifteen-acclaimed scientist, the judge estimated the testimony as an irrelevant testimony to the case. From above instance, no matter Drummond how hard to prove the evolution, the trial was still unfair to defense.