How are Creationism and Darwin’s theory of evolution different in our contemporary world than it was in the 1920s?

The location of the story is in and around the courthouse in Hillsboro, Pennsylvania.
























"This is not so much a literal view of Hillsboro as it is an impression of a sleepy, obscure country town about to be vigorously awakened" (3).

The theory of Darwinism, or evolution, is the Darwinian theory that species originate by descent, with variation, from parent forms, through the natural selection of those individuals best adapted for the reproductive success of their kind.



















Cates: "All it says is that man wasn't just stuck here like a geranium in a flower pot; that living comes from a long miracle, it didn't just happen in seven days" (8).

Bertram Cates, a ninth grade biology teacher in a Hilsboro school, is arrested for teaching the theory of evolution to his students.
































Cates:"I'm supposed to be in jail; I'd better be in jail!" (10).

When Melinda sees Drummond appear before her she believes he is the devil. He is defending Cates and the idea of evolutionism. This, to her along with many others in Hillsboro, is sinful.
























Melinda: "It's the Devil!" (36).

Creationism is the doctrine that matter and all things were created, substantially as they now
exist, by an omnipotent Creator, and not gradually evolved or developed.



















Reverend Brown: "He looked about Him, did the Lord; at all His handiwork, bowed down before Him. And He said, 'It is not good, it is not enough, it is not finished. I...shall...make...Me...a...Man!" (64).

Matthew Harrison Brady and Henry Drummond used to be friends and Brady asks him why they have seemed to move apart. Drummond responds by saying that maybe Brady has not moved at all but is standing still. He is saying that Brady has never progressed from his small town thoughts. Also Drummond is saying that Brady does not have an open mind.





















Drummond: "All motion is relative. Perhaps it is you who have moved away - by standing still" (67).