As students read, a storyboard can serve as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!
Other characters included in this map are Henry Drummond, Bertrand Cates, Rachel Brown, Reverend Jeremiah Brown, and E.K. Hornbeck.
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Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
Help students explore why characters act the way they do by connecting their actions to their goals and beliefs. Understanding motivation deepens comprehension and engagement with the text.
Explain to students that motivation is what drives a character’s actions. Discuss how every choice a character makes is influenced by their desires, fears, or values.
Choose a character, such as Matthew Harrison Brady, and think aloud while identifying what he wants and why. Point out specific lines or actions that reveal his underlying motivations.
Ask students to highlight words, actions, and quotes that suggest a character’s motivation. Encourage them to use sticky notes or a graphic organizer for their findings.
Invite students to share their ideas about why characters made certain choices. Emphasize respectful debate and support for opinions with evidence from the play.
Encourage students to relate the motivations of characters to their own experiences or current events. This makes the lesson more meaningful and memorable for students.
A character map is a visual tool that helps students track key traits, actions, and quotes for each major character in Inherit the Wind. It makes it easier to follow the plot, recognize character development, and understand how each character contributes to the story.
The main characters to include in a character map for Inherit the Wind are Matthew Harrison Brady, Henry Drummond, Bertrand Cates, Rachel Brown, Reverend Jeremiah Brown, and E.K. Hornbeck.
To create a character map, list each major character, add their physical and personality traits, and include a memorable quote. Use colors, poses, and backgrounds that match their role in the story to help visualize their characteristics and relationships.
Character mapping helps students keep track of details, understand character motivations, and notice subtle changes as the story unfolds. It supports deeper comprehension, especially in plays with multiple important characters.
Choose quotes that reveal a character's beliefs or pivotal moments. Select traits that influence the plot or show how the character changes. Focus on details that help distinguish each character's unique role in Inherit the Wind.