Brief Summary Of Inherit The Wind

508 Words3 Pages
Inherit The Wind At the courthouse in Hillsboro, a small Southern town, Bertram Cates is behind bars, awaiting trial for teaching his students about Darwin’s theory of evolution. Rachel Brown, a friend and fellow teacher who also is the daughter of the town’s minister, visits Cates. She brings Cates some clean clothes and urges him to plead guilty and throw himself at the mercy of the court. Cates remains firm in his resolve. Hillsboro erupts with excitement as prominent lawyers and journalists arrive for the trial. E. K. Hornbeck, a critic for the Baltimore Herald, surveys the scene and makes wisecracks. The Bible-thumping politician Matthew Harrison Brady, who leads the prosecution, arrives to a warm welcome from the townspeople and a picnic in his honor. Brady meets with Reverend Brown, District Attorney Tom Davenport, and the mayor. Brady also holds a confidential discussion with Rachel about her friendship with Cates. Rachel leaves the discussion feeling that she has betrayed her friend. Hornbeck informs the crowd that the prominent litigator Henry Drummond will represent the defense. The mayor names Brady an…show more content…
Before Drummond leaves the courtroom, Rachel expresses to him her concerns about the trial. Cates relates the hardships he has endured since his arrest. Drummond, who empathizes with Cates’s struggle and isolation, offers Cates the opportunity to change his plea on one condition: that Cates truly believes he has done wrong. Cates decides to persevere for his cause. Rachel, however, informs them that Brady has asked her to testify against Cates. A frantic Cates returns to his cell, concerned about the details of personal conversations that Rachel might betray. Drummond reassures Rachel that Brady is less powerful than she believes. Assuring her that Cates is fighting for a worthy cause, Drummond compliments Rachel on her strength in loving

More about Brief Summary Of Inherit The Wind

Open Document