Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflict. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the Storyboard Creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Drummond and Brady are facing off against each other in the courtroom throughout the case. Brady basks in the glow of the love the town throws at him because they see him as a champion for their traditional beliefs. Drummond puts Brady on the stand and makes him look ridiculous.
Bert wonders if going through with this case is such a good idea. The entire town is treating him like he killed someone. Rachel is desperately trying to get Bert to back down, and he considers it until Drummond asks him if he honestly believes he committed a criminal act in sharing the idea of the theory of evolution with his students. He still remains hesitant, but decides to go through with the case anyway.
Bert is going against the law, the Butler Act, which forbade the teaching of the theory of evolution. He is standing up against his entire town, who views him as spreading evil ideas to their children. He is forfeiting his job, his home, and his reputation in the small town of Hillsboro in order to stand up against a law he feels is unjust, and to fight for the right to spread ideas.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in Inherit the Wind.
Debates help students analyze and defend their understanding of conflict types. Assign roles based on characters from Inherit the Wind and have students argue which conflict most impacts the story, fostering critical thinking and engagement.
Choose debate prompts that reflect key conflicts in the play, such as 'Is Bert Cates a hero or a troublemaker?' or 'Should personal beliefs challenge societal laws?' These topics encourage students to connect literary analysis to real-world issues.
Divide students into small groups or pairs and assign each a character or viewpoint from the play. Have them gather evidence from the text to support their position. This process strengthens textual analysis and teamwork skills.
Guide the debate by establishing clear rules for speaking and listening. Encourage students to reference specific scenes and respond thoughtfully to opposing arguments, building a collaborative and respectful classroom environment.
After the debate, lead a class reflection on what was learned about literary conflict and character motivation. Prompt students to consider how their perspectives changed and how debates can deepen literary understanding.
Inherit the Wind features several types of literary conflict, including Man vs. Man (Drummond vs. Brady), Man vs. Self (Bert's internal struggle), and Man vs. Society (Bert challenging the town's beliefs). Each conflict highlights different themes and character motivations in the play.
To teach literary conflict with storyboards, have students identify examples from the play, illustrate each conflict type (such as Character vs. Character or Character vs. Society), and write brief explanations. Storyboards help students visualize and analyze how conflicts drive the plot and character development.
A key Man vs. Society example is Bert Cates defying the Butler Act to teach evolution. He faces the town's disapproval and risks his job and reputation, demonstrating his struggle against societal norms and unjust laws.
Conflict is crucial because it reveals character motivations, themes about freedom and belief, and encourages critical thinking. Teaching conflict helps students connect the play's issues to real-world debates and ethical dilemmas.
Encourage students to use storyboards, role-play courtroom scenes, or have group discussions to explore different perspectives. These activities make identifying and understanding conflict more engaging and interactive.