Inherit The Wind Questions

2. What does Meeker, the bailiff’s, willingness to let Cates out of jail to meet with Rachel
tell us both about his offence and the town?
Meeker thinks Cates offence is ludicrous. He thinks that the town has no reason to put him in jail, only because he teaches a different belief than what the Bible teaches.
It tells that the offense is not serious and not a physical threat to the town.

3. What kind of town does Hillsboro seem to be in its preparations for Brady’s arrival?
The town seems very happy to receive Brady. They prepare a buffet and they parade around the town to show their joy.
It seems to be very religious and proud to show it, by displaying banners, singing christian songs.

4. What does Brady’s relationship with his wife tell us about his character?
She calls him baby, and he calls her mom. He follows her when she leaves. It shows that he is dependant, and submisive.

5. What does Brady’s conversation with Rachel, and subsequent behaviour afterwards tell
us about his character?
He is very manipulative. Rachel only wanted to relate to him the facts during their conversation, but he used her knowledge and her relations with the town's priest to bait her to be a witness for them, and go against her boyfriend.
It tells us that Brady could be untrustworthy, conniving, and manipulative.

6. How is Drummond characterized by the townspeople? Later when we meet him do
they seem to be correct?
The towns people see Drummond as a man who has no scrupples. He defensed criminals, and had no care for morals during the court process. They don't want him to enter the town. When Drummond arrives, the people were right to think the worst of him.
Drummond is depicted as the devil, or evil incarnate, because he had prviously defended hard-core criminal; however, we find him to be free thinking and a man of principle.

7. What role does Hornbeck play in the action of the play? What is the significance of the
way he speaks?
Hornbeck is the journalist in the play. He relates the events, and makes many comments on the absurdity of the accusations. He like to incorporate his opinions when he speaks, even though poeple tend to ignore those comments. He tries to understand why the poeple are so distressed by the beliefs of a man.
Hornbeck shows another point of view that is seemingly open minded, but isn't. He was more articulate, but he was not superior, though he thought so.0

8. Do the elements of the trial seem fair to you? Why or why not?
I don't think the elements of the trial are fair, because the jury is chosen by Drummond and Brady, but everytime Drummond questions someone, the questions are declared unsuitabble for the cause, and the judge always agrees. It seemed like the whole town already had a opinion, even the jury, though they were chosen for the fact that they were neutral in the situation.

9. What do you think Rachel’s motivations for asking Cates to drop the trial and admit
his guilt stem from?
Rachel is torn between her father and her boyfriend Cates. She doesn't want to choose, so she asks Cates to admit his guilt so she would be freed of the weight on her shoulders. Furthermore, she believes his reputation will suffer the consequences of the trial. And she wants the case to end, because it is a completly absurd case.

10. What does Brady’s intervention in Reverend Brown’s sermon say about him? Does
this contradict what you thought about him as a character?
When he interrupted Reverend Brown's sermon, Brady talked about forgiveness, and this showed that he held deep inside him some compassion. It does a bit contradict what I thought about him, because I thought he was the austere man who strongly believed in justice, and the speech he made shattered this concept of him.

11. What is the central issue that Drummond is arguing for in the courtroom?
Drummond is arguing about the human's right to think. And that the Bible has many issues that can be argued about.

12. Do you think it is fair that none of Drummond’s expert witnesses are allowed to act as
witnesses?
I don't think it is fair that Drummond isn't allowed to question the experts on his list, because when you judge someone, you have to have all the facts, and information in hand before proceeding to the judgement. Why should Brady be allowed to bring forward as many witnesses as he wants, when Drummond can't do the same?