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Matthew Brady Inherit The Wind

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The play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee chronicles the trial of Bertram Cates—a school teacher in Tennessee who breaks the law by teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution instead of creationism. Matthew Harrison Brady, the prosecuting attorney on the case, exhibits prominent characteristics which directly affects the way he conducts the trial. Brady displays various examples throughout the play of how his arrogance, insecurity, and intolerance influences the way he acts.
To begin with, Matthew Harrison Brady’s arrogance is an aspect that altered his conduction of the trial. An example is when Brady learns Henry Drummond will be the defence attorney on the case. Regarding this piece of information, Brady says, “If …show more content…
Initially, the townspeople’s admiration inflates Brady with hubris, but his confidence easily crumbles. For instance, at the beginning of the trial when Drummond reveals the wide, purple suspenders he is wearing, Brady makes a snide comment to which Drummond replies, “‘Just so happens I bought these galluses at Peabody’s General Store in your home town, Mr. Brady.’... (There is amused reaction at this. Brady is nettled: this is his show and he wants all the laughs).” (pg. 36). Brady hates not having all the attention on him. Therefore, the audience, the very thing he depends on to fuel his sense of self-worth, is what causes him to be thrown off balance during the trial. Furthermore, Brady exposes his insecure nature when Drummond calls him to the witness stand. In this scene, Brady transforms from an intelligent, confident leader to a babbling, pitiful fool. Afterward, once the courtroom has emptied, Brady breaks down and cries to his wife, “‘I can’t stand it when they laugh at me!’... (Mrs. Brady stands beside and behind her husband, putting her arms around the massive shoulders and cradling his head against her breast).” (pg. 91). People can not be expected to take Brady seriously if this is how he acts in a moment of crisis. Brady too often allows his insecurity to affect the way he acts during the trial, resulting in humiliation and the eradication of his

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