Inherit the Wind – Syntax
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Language and speech – puns, jokes, allusions and word choices – define a character. Henry Drummonds disciplined syntax and provocative diction depict his capricious disposition. Colonel Drummonds word choice and level of language help him achieve his goal of proving Bertram Catess innocence by scathingly mocking religion. Drummond is introduced as an intransigent devils advocate as he was portrayed to be different from the entire religiously revolutionary town. Nonetheless, in the process of the play, Drummonds character seems to alter from a Pro-Evolutionist lawyer out to make a case, towards a more humble lawyer fighting for the “Right to think” – as shown with his conversations with Cates. Finally, Drummonds nature intrigues me, for during the final pages of the play, Drummonds character seemed to have evolved into an empathetic, honorable man who is well-know ledged in the world around him. This was revealed by his last conversations with Hornback. Drummonds personality seems to incorporate many main characters into one. By reading his speeches and quotes, I saw a puzzle I sought to solve.
“Henry Drummond? The agnostic?” “That vicious, God-less man!” Henry Drummond is not introduced to the reader in the first scene with dialogues, but in contrast to the other main characters, is presented by a tirade of diatribes. During the foremost pages of Inherit the Wind, the only insight given to the reader of Drummonds past is of the outlandish accusations of Drummond, being the devil himself, perverting evidence to exonerate the guilty, ghastly members of society.
Amused and shaking his head, Drummond quickly snapped back to the judge, “Gentlemen, what can I say? It is not often in a mans life that he attains the exalted rank of “temporary Honorary Colonel.” Throughout the second scene of the play, Drummond is represented as a sharp heretic, shelling fiery remarks towards the bias judge and the haughty Mr. Matthew Harrison Brady. “From what youve heard about this Darwin, do you think your wife would want to have him over for Sunday dinner?” “Thats understandable. Its bad enough that everybody coming into this courtroom has to walk underneath a banner that says: “Read your Bible!” Your honor, I want that sign taken down! Or else I want another one put up -just as big, just as big letters – saying, “Read your Darwin!” Drummonds deriding diction against religion is shown by his scoffing remarks directed at the evolution-illiterate town. As a running theme throughout this scene, the reader senses tensions between Brady and Drummond. Colonel Drummonds jeers insinuate at the animosity he feels towards Brady when cynically referring towards him, practically, as God himself. In addition to Drummonds clever comments, his constant swearing abets his defense of free speech and a right to think. “Damned” and “Hell” are persistent words in his vocabulary and are used to open the narrow minds of this small town and reveal as his past; a lenient upbringing.
However, towards the end of the second scene, Drummonds character sees a shift towards a more modest attorney fighting to prove the innocence of Bertram Cates and to show the town: Its all right to think. “I care a great deal about Bert. I care a great deal about what Bert thinks.” ” Bert Cates is a good man. Maybe even a great one” Drummonds quotes are commencing the beginning of his true temperament – a compassionate empathizer. Now that Henry Drummond established his major goal, he again launches jibes and allusions towards Brady – on stand – to assist him triumph over the subjective jury.
Allusions towards both, the bible and evolution are made to show Drummonds extensive knowledge of the Bible and of the scientific world. Though, in the beginning of the play, Drummonds puns were not found amusing, with patience and perseverance, his witticisms found its way past the over-bearing religious walls of the jury. “That Eastern Standard