Inherit the Wind Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes

Brown and Brady are both big shots among their respective religious followers, but they have very different takes on how to treat fellow sinners. This passage shows how even within Bert's group of opponents, there are various degrees of fanaticism.

It's hard not to feel for Brady, as arrogant as he is, when he gets baby-fied by his nice wife. It's also hard not to want to vomit.

After their fierce competition is over, check out the way that Drummond himself "turns" and starts to feel for his opponent. Drummond's change of heart demonstrates how even a hardened lawyer can have a kind heart (just not when he's in the heat of battle).

Even though Brady is the one that got him a guilty sentence, Bert is able to feel compassion for the old man. Bert's compassion for the enemy proves that he's a complex character; he's more than meets the eye. While he would be totally justified in hating his opponent, he takes the high road, letting the balancing scales of justice inform his opinions.

The reporter has no compassion for Brady; he feels he should keep the insults flying. So while the play shows that some supporters of evolution can also be intolerant and closed-minded, Hornbeck serves as evidence of extremist evolutionists. Brady's the extremist on his side of the camp.

When Hornbeck makes fun of Brady, Drummond really puts himself in Brady's suspenders. So he defends the guy. Sweet, huh?

Hornbeck tries to bait Drummond into talking smack about Brady, but Drummond is just too good. How does this Drummond compare with the one we've seen in the first two acts? How has he changed, and to what do you attribute that change?

He's a real joker, that Hornbeck. But these lines reveal that he's not all fun and games. He's serious about wanting everyone to stay strong and stick to what they believe in, no matter what human emotions might intrude. And he's really unhappy that no one wants to join his bullying club. He's a rational man, and to him, that means going hard all of the time, no ifs, sympathies, or buts about it.

It almost seems like Hornbeck is the one with principles here, since he's being consistent in his hatred. But could there be another way to explain everyone's attitudes toward Brady? Is being unequivocally nasty really the same thing as being principled?

Remember how Drummond and Brady were pals back in the day? It seems like Henry is recalling those times now that the show is over. And apparently, his assessment of the situation is that Brady got a little too obsessed with fame to have a "real" relationship with God and goodness.