“Inherit the Wind” is a play which is based
on a real-life story. Although the characters are exactly not the same as the
real story, which is called “Scopes Monkey Trial”, the play is very similar to that
event.
The main topic is about the conflict
between fundamentalism and modernism. Mr. Cates, Mr. Henry Drummond and Mr.
Hornbeck defend that science is more important and logical than just a holy
book. On the other hand; Mr. Brady, the judge and the other people who live in
Hillsboro think that religion is everything. Furthermore, Rachel’s inner
conflict, symbolizes the main contrast between these opposite ideas:
fundamentalism and modernism.
Fundamentalism is to strictly believe in
old and traditional forms of religion or a holy book. Fundamentalist people
consider that their religion is completely true. Therefore, they do not
analyze, search or think about new things. They restricted themselves to a
single book.
Modernism is a movement towards modifying
traditional beliefs in accordance with modern ideas during the late 19th and
20th centuries. Modernist people defend that science is more
important than a holy book.
The contrast between these two ideas
-fundamentalism and modernism- create a conflict. While religion has specific, dogmatic,
strict, constant and unchangeable rules, science does not have a hundred
percent reliable theorems. Those theorems or laws can be changed when an
opposing information is discovered.
Actually, this contrast will always be with
the humanity. There will always be a group of people who think that religion is
the most reliable information. The reason of fundamentalism might be to control
people easily by frightening them. Additionally, science is improving and
developing day by day. Each day one can learn new inventions about computers,
cars or robots. Therefore, there will also be a group of people who consider
that science is the most important and reliable thing in the world.
In my opinion, both science and religion
are important. However, we must not compare them. They both have different aims
on humans. Religion has an important role on mental health. When one feels
lonely and miserable then religion can help that person that he/she is actually
not lonely. Science also has a great importance on humanity. The most
up-to-date event is coronavirus out-break. If science was not developed, then
no one would be able to survive this deadly pandemic.
All in all, in the play “Inherit the Wind”
the major conflict is between fundamentalism and modernism. Although this issue
will always be a part of our lives, we should not compare science and religion.
They both have different aims on humans.
Suzan R. Hofstede, 2021

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