Clarence Darrow, a brilliant trial attorney who defended the underdog, had a hostile demeanor and was sarcastic and condescending. He volunteered to defend Scopes in order to expose the ignorance of fundamentalists. His counterpart in the play, Henry Drummond, is sophisticated, intelligent, idealistic, and charming.
When Darrow arrived in Dayton, a large, friendly crowd welcomed him. The welcome he received was similar to that which Bryan received. When Drummond arrives in Hillsboro, however, he does not receive a welcome. Instead, a young girl sees him and screams, "It's the Devil!"
Darrow objected to the Judge opening each session of the trial with a prayer and to a banner outside the courthouse that read, "Read Your Bible." He requested that the banner be taken down or another banner, one that read "Read Your Evolution," be erected. The judge had the banner removed. In the play, Drummond objects to the judge announcing a prayer meeting and to the banner outside the courthouse that says, "Read Your Bible." He, like Darrow, requests that the banner be taken down or that another banner — this one reading "Read Your Darwin" — be erected. Nothing is done about the banner.
In the Scopes trial, no women participated. In Inherit the Wind, Brady (the prosecutor) calls Rachel Brown to testify against Cates. (Note: John Scopes had no girlfriend. The playwrights included the character of Rachel to establish a romance motif.)
