Inherit the Wind Webquest

Introduction

Although Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee state in the preface to their play, Inherit the Wind, that it is not meant to be a historical account of the 1925 Scope’s “Monkey Trial,” most of the published writing generated from the play’s production is historical analyses pertaining to the authors’ interpretation of the trial and their accuracy, or inaccuracy, in representing it as history. Inherit the Wind is not a drama depicting the details of the 1925 trial that tested the constitutionality of a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools. It is a play about man’s inherent right to think and the public’s acceptance of man’s right to profess his thoughts.

To better enjoy our exploration into the analysis of the text, we need to understand some of the issues that may have affected Lawrence and Lee when they wrote Inherit the Wind.

What are some of the moral, historical, social, and political issues that will affect our interpretation of the work?

The Task/Process

* The class will be divided into groups of 3, 4 or 5 depending on class size.

* Time will be scheduled, if possible, in the library or the computer lab.

* Review of the card catalogue and the Citation page will be provided.

* The class will also discuss how to evaluate the integrity of a website.

* Each group must prepare a five-minute oral presentation giving pertinent information on their assigned topic. This presentation should include a PowerPoint presentation with at least six slides (36 point minimum with no distracting backgrounds). Submit a copy of the ppt. presentation no later than one day before the presentation is scheduled.

* Each group must submit a “Works Cited” page, to include an alphabetical listing of sources used, including at least one non-Internet source.

Directions for the Inherit the Wind Project

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