Act II Summary
Act Two, Scene I
On that same evening, Rachel's father, Reverend Brown, conducts a fervent bible meeting. With the famous orator, Brady, seated beside him on the platform, Reverend Brown delivers a fiery sermon condemning Bert and the wickedness he has spread. When Rachel tries to defend Bert, her father calls for divine punishment upon her. Brady steps in, cautioning the fervent Reverend with a Biblical quote from Proverbs that gives the play its title: "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind." After the congregation disperses, Brady and Drummond—who were once close friends and colleagues—engage in a brief conversation. Brady questions why their friendship has waned, to which Drummond replies that perhaps Brady has distanced himself by remaining stagnant. This critique leaves Brady visibly shaken as he exits, leaving Drummond alone on stage.
Act Two, Scene II
The trial is underway. Howard, a student from Bert's class, is called to the witness stand. Brady adeptly twists Howard's testimony to bolster the prosecution, concluding with a fervent and biased speech against the "evil-lutionists." During Drummond's cross-examination, he demonstrates the defense's key argument—that Howard, or anyone, has the right to hear new ideas and contemplate their significance. Later, Rachel is summoned to testify. Brady interrogates Rachel about Bert's belief in God, leading her to repeat Bert's remark that God made Man in His own image, and Man reciprocated. Aware that her words are incriminating Bert further, Rachel breaks down in tears and leaves the stand before Drummond can question her. Brady concludes the prosecution's case. Drummond begins the defense by attempting to call three notable scientists to testify, but the court deems their potential testimony irrelevant to the case.
Drummond appears to lack witnesses for the defense. He argues that if the court disallows testimony on science or Charles Darwin (whose work supports evolution), it should permit testimony on the Bible. He calls Brady to the stand as a Bible expert, despite objections from D.A. Davenport. Initially, Brady deflects Drummond's inquiries about Biblical events with sanctimonious responses. However, as Drummond persists, Brady concedes that the first day of creation was "not necessarily a twenty-four-hour day." When Drummond gets Brady to admit that he believes God communicates with him, guiding his sense of right and wrong, Brady's credibility is undermined. He remains on the stand, ignored, reciting scripture as the court adjourns for the day.
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