Read Keeping the Faith by Brenda Wineapple eBook Review

Keeping the Faith by Brenda Wineapple

The Trial That Shook a Nation: Keeping the Faith by Brenda Wineapple

In 1925, the sleepy town of Dayton, Tennessee, became the epicenter of a legal battle that would captivate the nation and shape the course of American history for decades to come. Brenda Wineapple’s Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation is a masterful account of the Scopes “Monkey Trial,” where a young schoolteacher named John T. Scopes was charged with teaching evolution in his biology class. This gripping narrative not only chronicles the events of the trial but also delves into the profound divisions it exposed within American society, divisions that continue to resonate in the present day.

Summary

Keeping the Faith begins by setting the stage for the trial, providing readers with crucial historical context and introducing the key players. Clarence Darrow, a celebrated attorney and advocate for labor rights, took on the defense of John Scopes, arguing that people should be free to worship, or not worship, and be free to learn, particularly about science. William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State, led the prosecution, declaring that evolution undermined the literal truth of the Bible and created a society without morals, meaning, or hope.

As the trial unfolds, Wineapple skillfully weaves together the personal histories and motivations of Darrow and Bryan, revealing how their lives had intersected before their showdown in Dayton. The author also introduces the newly-formed ACLU, which joined Darrow in defending Scopes, and the local community of Dayton, whose decision to host the trial was driven by a desire for publicity and economic gain.

The narrative builds suspense as the trial progresses, with Darrow and Bryan engaging in a battle of wits and ideologies. Wineapple captures the media frenzy surrounding the event, which quickly became a circus-like spectacle, attracting hundreds of people to the small town. Despite the verdict being a foregone conclusion, with the judge refusing to allow expert testimony on evolution, the trial remains a pivotal moment in American history, exposing the deep-seated tensions between faith and science, tradition and progress, and the role of government in shaping the moral fabric of society.

Main Characters

Clarence Darrow: The defense attorney, known for his advocacy of labor rights and civil liberties, who argued passionately for the freedom to learn and the separation of church and state.
William Jennings Bryan: The prosecutor and three-time Democratic presidential nominee, who believed that evolution undermined the Bible and threatened the moral foundations of American society.
John T. Scopes: The young biology teacher at the center of the trial, whose decision to teach evolution in his classroom set the stage for the legal battle.
H.L. Mencken: The outspoken journalist who dubbed the trial the “monkey trial” and used his wit and sarcasm to skewer the defenders of fundamentalism.
The ACLU: The newly-formed organization that joined Darrow in defending Scopes, arguing that the Butler Act, which prohibited the teaching of evolution in Tennessee, was unconstitutional.

Key Events and Plots

The Butler Act: The Tennessee law that prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools, which set the stage for the Scopes trial.
The Arrest and Indictment of John Scopes: The events that led to Scopes’ arrest and the decision to put him on trial for teaching evolution.
The Arrival of the Media and Spectators: The influx of journalists, photographers, and curious onlookers to the small town of Dayton, creating a circus-like atmosphere around the trial.
The Testimony of William Jennings Bryan: Darrow’s decision to call Bryan as an expert witness on the Bible, which resulted in a devastating performance by Bryan and highlighted the tensions between faith and science.
The Verdict and Appeal: Scopes’ conviction and the subsequent appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court, which overturned the conviction on a technicality but left the Butler Act intact.

Suspense and Conclusion

Keeping the Faith builds suspense through its exploration of the complex issues at the heart of the trial, including the role of religion in public life, the nature of truth, and the limits of free speech. Wineapple’s narrative invites readers to consider how the battle over the teaching of evolution in 1925 foreshadowed the ongoing debates about the place of religion in American society and the role of government in shaping the moral and intellectual landscape of the nation.

In the conclusion, Wineapple emphasizes that the Scopes trial remains relevant today, as issues of religious bigotry, censorship, and the struggle over the meaning of democracy continue to shape the national discourse. The author’s vivid storytelling and meticulous research make Keeping the Faith a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of American history and the ongoing battle over the soul of the nation.