Freedom Of Speech In Inherit The Wind

Author Evelyn Beatrice Hall once said, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.” In the play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, high school science teacher Bertram Cates is put under arrest for teaching evolution rather than the creation myth in the southern town of Hillsboro. Lawyer Henry Drummond is sent in from Chicago to defend Cates, and lawyer Matthew Harrison Brady is sent in as prosecutor, to defend Hillsboro’s religious rights. The town’s religious leader Reverend Brown greatly endorses the town’s strong Christian beliefs. This play teaches many critical lessons. The biggest lesson the play teaches is the importance of intellectual freedom because outside of Hillsboro, there is rarely a single answer to all of life’s questions. Henry Drummond introduces the idea

This is taught in three parts. One, through the importance of open-mindedness and awareness of other views. Two, through embracing knowledge. And three, by bringing together clashing views and recognizing that one belief is not more important than another. The freedom of speech itself is written in the first amendment of the United States Constitution. This essential right is protected by law, and listed immediately in the text. This truly highlights just how important it is to be able to speak, write, and share ideas freely. Information should not be denied based off of one group’s views. Our founding fathers stood up for this right, one that does not include censorship of any kind. To have a law that goes against this principle invalidates the law itself. Throughout Hillsboro, America, and the world, multitudes of different opinions exist, and they deserve to be protected. It all boils down to the importance of respecting and recognizing different viewpoints as they