Drummond's character serves as a foil for Brady's character. This function becomes particularly evident during Drummond's cross-examination of Brady. Drummond's patient demeanor and open-minded, progressive way of thinking accentuates Brady's narrow-minded way of thinking. By hammering away at the inconsistencies and eventually attacking Brady's self-anointed status of prophet, Drummond is able to sway the spectator's support in his direction, to open their eyes to truth. As he tells Cates the story of Golden Dancer, the rocking horse that was "all shine and no substance," he makes clear that the true hero is one who discloses lies and stands up for truth.
Even though Cates is found guilty, Drummond wins a moral victory. He reveals his integrity when he defends freedom of thought, even for those he disagrees with. When Hornbeck criticizes Brady and Brady's fundamentalist beliefs, Drummond tells Hornbeck that " . . . Brady had the same right as Cates: the right to be wrong!"
Drummond is a static character; he does not change during the action of the play. At the play's beginning, Drummond is in Hillsboro to defend freedom of thought, and he has little patience for narrow-minded people who criticize the beliefs of others. At the end of the play, Drummond feels the same way and is still fighting for people's "right to be wrong."
