How are Creationism and Darwin’s theory of evolution different in our contemporary world than it was in the 1920s?

The location of the story is in and around the courthouse in Hillsboro, Pennsylvania.
























"This is not so much a literal view of Hillsboro as it is an impression of a sleepy, obscure country town about to be vigorously awakened" (3).

The theory of Darwinism, or evolution, is the Darwinian theory that species originate by descent, with variation, from parent forms, through the natural selection of those individuals best adapted for the reproductive success of their kind.



















Cates: "All it says is that man wasn't just stuck here like a geranium in a flower pot; that living comes from a long miracle, it didn't just happen in seven days" (8).

Bertram Cates, a ninth grade biology teacher in a Hilsboro school, is arrested for teaching the theory of evolution to his students.
































Cates:"I'm supposed to be in jail; I'd better be in jail!" (10).

When Melinda sees Drummond appear before her she believes he is the devil. He is defending Cates and the idea of evolutionism. This, to her along with many others in Hillsboro, is sinful.
























Melinda: "It's the Devil!" (36).

Creationism is the doctrine that matter and all things were created, substantially as they now
exist, by an omnipotent Creator, and not gradually evolved or developed.



















Reverend Brown: "He looked about Him, did the Lord; at all His handiwork, bowed down before Him. And He said, 'It is not good, it is not enough, it is not finished. I...shall...make...Me...a...Man!" (64).

Matthew Harrison Brady and Henry Drummond used to be friends and Brady asks him why they have seemed to move apart. Drummond responds by saying that maybe Brady has not moved at all but is standing still. He is saying that Brady has never progressed from his small town thoughts. Also Drummond is saying that Brady does not have an open mind.





















Drummond: "All motion is relative. Perhaps it is you who have moved away - by standing still" (67).

In this quote the author is suggesting that America views themselves as superior.




















Brady: "Did you hear that, friends? 'Old World Monkeys'! According to Mr. Cates, you and I aren't even descended from good American monkeys!" (69).

Brady is telling the court his interpretation of the "poison" Cates is teaching in his classroom of how man began.



















Brady: "He has been taught that the wriggled up like an animal from the filth and the muck below!" (70).

Brady argues that if the law does not stand the children's religion will be stripped away from them and this generation will be left without faith.











Bertram Cates

Brady: "I tell you, if this law is not upheld, this boy will become one of a generation, shorn of its faith by the teachings of Godless science!" (70).

Drummond is saying that every man is seeking to find truth for himself. In doing so he is constantly being measured by the "grid of morality" and judged either right or wrong by society's standards.



















Drummond: "Realizing that I may prejudice the case of my client, I must say that 'right' has no meaning to me whatsoever! ... Truth has no meaning - as a direction. But one of the peculiar imbecilities of our time is the grid of morality we have placed on human behavior: so that every act of man must be measured against an arbitrary latitude of right and longitude of wrong - in exact minutes, seconds, and degrees!" (74).

Rachel is saying that Bert was jocking about his doubts about God. He is suggesting that maybe God didn't create man but man created God.































Rachel: "Bert didn't say that! He was just joking. What he said was: 'God created Man in His own image - and Man, being a gentleman, returned the compliment'" (79).

Drummond is comparing Darwinism to a "so-called murder weapon". However, Darwinism is incapable of "firing a bullet" or truly harming someone.

Drummond: "Would you rule out testimony that the so-called muder weapon was incapable of firing a bullet?" (81).

Colonel Drummond is attempting to show other valid ways of interpreting the law. The judge claims that the law is clear and needs no other expert opinions for interpretation.






















Judge: "In this community, Colonel Drummond - and in this sovereign state - exactly the opposite is the case. The language of the law is clear; we do not need experts to question the validity of a law that is already on the books" (83).

Drummond is pointing out that just as most schools teach geometry, we should be able to learn about evolutionism.

























Drummond: "It is incontrovertible as geometry in every enlightened community of minds!" (83).

What Drummond means is that man has to move forward and progress in the world with his knowledge and learning. The more we learn, the more we are able to understand where we came from.






















Drummond: "And the advance of man's knowledge is more of a miracle than any sticks turned to snakes, or the parting of waters!" (93).

Drummond is trying very hard and beginning to succeed in confusing Brady. He is making it sound as though Brady just accepts certain things and does not think about why he believes these things.

Brady: "I do not think about things that...I do not think about!" (97).

Drummond is telling the court that although the Bible is a good book it is not the only book we should learn and read from. We should consider information from other sources before we make choices.
























Drummond: "The Bible is a book. A good book. But it's not the only book" (98).

Drummond is comparing a jockey wanting to only ride a winning horse to a lawyer taking on only a case that will be an easy victory.

Drummond: "Like a jockey who won't go in a race unless he can ride the favorite" (109).

Drummond is reffering to a rocking horse he received as a child. He longed for and admired it for a long time but when he finally got it, it wasn't so great. He is telling Cates that it is okay to question something which seems perfect, such as the Bible.


















Drummond: "Bert, whenever you see something bright, shining, perfect-seeming - all gold, with purple spots - look behind the paint!" (110).

The jury has made their decision. Is Bertram Cates found innocent or guilty for teaching evolution? Find out on May 28th, 2010.




















Judge: "The jury's decision is unanimous" (113).