"Inherit the Wind" novel question?

Question

At several points in the play, the Proverb " He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind" is quoted. What does this proverb mean? Which charater or characters "inherit the wind," as described by the proverb? Why would the authors choose this title for the play?

Answer 1

This Proverb is like the saying: "You have sown the wind, now reap the whirlwind."

That is, when one provokes needlessly, one is likely to find that all sorts of problems, trouble or strife are the result.

In the context of the play, Brady steps into this case to be the "Knight on a white horse", that is to sweep away the "heracy" of non-belief represented by Cates and evolution. Yet as the play unfolds, it is Brady, in his disasterous examination by Drummound, who is made to look foolish, who brings ridicule upon what he cherishes.

In a certain sense, the Scope trial, on which "Inherit the Wind" is based did the same thing. That trial was calculated by the Elders in Dayton, TN to bring publicity to the town, but really only brought ridicule, and was the start of all the other Creation/Evolution court cases since. (Although those certainly would have come anyway).

wl