Many famous works of classic literature often convey themes that anybody can understand and relate to. Prejudice, for example, is a famous theme found in stories that often reflect real historical events, such as the Scopes Trial of 1925 in Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s Inherit the Wind. Others, like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, are not solely based on a specific trial, but do reflect similar events and trials that happened during the time period. The trials force the characters to confront the overwhelming prejudice of their respective towns. However, while both works experience and overcome prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird condemns victims through racism, taking place in a time where it was not uncommon, whereas Inherit the Wind …show more content…
When Scout asks Atticus if he defended “niggers”, he replies by telling her not to use that particular word, to which she claims that everyone at school uses it (Lee 99). This is a subtle way of showing how prevalent racism is in Maycomb. Atticus shows that while the word is more often used, it is still considered immoral. The children using the word is also an example of how the prejudice of the adults most likely determines the opinions of their children, ensuring that the trend of racism continues on. The predominant prejudice is more vehemently shown in Inherit the Wind. Reverend Brown is considered the religious leader and proves himself to be fanatical at times, but he is not alone in his prejudice against people he deems to have gone against the Bible’s teachings. After the trial is adjourned for the first day, Rev. Brown holds a prayer service in the evening. Most of the town attends and heartily agrees with Rev. Brown when he asks them if they condemn Cates to hell for being a sinner (Lawrence and Lee 28). From their acceptance of Brady and the rejection of Drummond to the multiple banners and signs against Darwin and evolution, they (the town) on many occasions, shows their affinity for traditional Christian faith and their hate for anything straying from traditional …show more content…
Hillsboro and Maycomb are places dominated by prejudiced people, but there are people who side with Cates and Tom, even if it leads to dangerous results. During Rev. Brown’s prayer service, in the heat of the moment, Rachel defends Bert, resulting in her own father damning her as well (26). While Rachel herself did not commit the crime, her association with Bert as his girlfriend and her unwillingness to condemn him make her just as bad as he is in the eyes of the prejudiced. She doesn’t even really believe in what Bert believes, as evidenced in the earlier of the story. However, unlike others in Hillsboro, she doesn’t denounce him. As the saying goes, “You’re either with us, or you’re against us.” Like Rachel, people supporting Tom Robinson are made into outcasts and even suffer violent consequences. In Wayne Flynt’s review of To Kill a Mockingbird, he writes, “…it exposes [Atticus] and his family to the anger and ostracism of Maycomb's white people, violent retribution by Bob Ewell, and the admiration of the town's black population” (Flynt). He summarizes the effects of Atticus’s role as Tom’s defender in the trial. Jem and Scout are subjected to ridicule in school and in the family. Atticus, Judge Taylor, Helen Robinson are all harassed after the trial by Bob Ewell. Jem and Scout are even attacked by Ewell