Inherit the Wind is a play that leaves the audience feeling conflicted. It’s because the playwrights change the audience’s perception of Brady. As he transforms from hubris into delusion and then finally to a sense a broken realisation, the audience leaves the play with so many opinions it’s difficult to take Brady’s entire character as a whole. The playwrights depict Brady as proud and arrogant in the first sections of Inherit the Wind. Brady’s initial senses of grandiloquence, self-confidence, and a sense of pride create an elevated aura that makes him fall from greatness.
By creating anticipation through the anxiety and excitement in the townsfolk about Brady’s upcoming arrival, the playwrights are able to achieve these effects. Matthew Harrison Brady Brady coming’ here… I’ve seen him once. This immerses the audience in Brady’s almost godlike opinion. The townsfolk’s opinion about Brady is vindicated by his speech. It was described as ‘When Brady speaks there can be none doubt of his personality magnetism’, which is magnified by the Mayor’s speech. He would not have made it to the White House without the use of colloquialisms and double negatives to portray Wilson in a better light. The playwrights portray Brady as self-centered and self-absorbed because he believes he will win the trial. This contrasts with the empathy the audience feels for Bert Cates’ humble and shy language. … you’d be wise not to tell anyone how cool is it down there. Despite Brady’s reputation for being a great speaker and his reputation for being a charismatic orator, his vanity and over-indulgence with food leaves the audience feeling skepticism. The trial progresses as the story goes on. As Matthew Harrison Brady uses sly and patronising methods, Drummond’s support grows for Cates and Drummond. The scene 2 opening directions show the contrast between the humble and candid nature of Cates and Brady. Brady is portrayed as arrogant and pompous while Brady is portrayed as a man of great self-assurance. The trial is a demonstration of the kindness and humility displayed by Drummond and Brady. Howard is described in Act 2, Scene 1 as a ‘wretched man in a starched neck and Sunday suit’ and is therefore nervous about appearing before the court. Even when compared to Drummond, Brady’s mannerisms when speaking with Howard are sly & harsh. Brady makes a fool of Howard, saying, ‘Alongside the dogs-and-cattle in the field. Did he actually say that? Howard was disapproved by Brady’s twisting of words. Brady then said, “Along with the dogs and cattle in the field: Did he say that?” Brady points at a boy. Brady points at the boy.) This view can be further emphasized when Drummond and Howard are compared – “He punches Howard’s left arm playfully,” and “
Drummond looks back at the boy in an pleasantly familiar way’, – providing a sharp contrast between Brady’s harsh and untrustworthy behavior and Drummond’s kind personality.
The play’s latter stages depict Brady’s fall into pride and arrogance. The main factor in the conflict between the audience’s feelings about Brady is his portrayal of him to them. They feel a sense that Brady has done the right thing and see a pathetic side to his apparent inner problems. The playwrights make Brady appear more grandiose in his mannerisms when Drummond calls Brady to the podium. The playwrights make Brady fall from his high horse by making him appear more confident and confident. Drummond goes on to dismiss Brady and his case. Brady, on the verge of his emotional downfall, holds onto the Bible’s books and then tries to wriggle his way to safety. The sentence is overturned and Brady protests it in a relative shadow. After he has finished his argument, Drummond begins to disprove Brady and his case and then Brady falls to the ground. This mental deterioration also manifests itself in the expression ‘as you would expect’. This is an indication that Brady used his arrogance to mask his feelings.
Brady is presented by the playwrights as a range of emotions. The playwrights reveal Brady’s deep-seated grief over losing his presidential races. They also give some explanation for Brady’s arrogance in those final scenes. This leaves the audience with conflicting emotions. It is possible to recall both Brady’s proud past and the sense of justice that he has in the present.
