john scopes
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun: - John Scopes: An American high school teacher in Tennessee who, in 1925, was charged with violating state law for teaching human evolution. His trial, widely known as the "Scopes Monkey Trial," became a nationally famous event symbolizing the conflict between modern science and religious fundamentalism.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- John Scopes was the defendant in a landmark legal case about academic freedom.
- The prosecution of John Scopes drew attention from across the United States.
Advanced Usage
- "Scopes Trial" / "Scopes Monkey Trial": The historical event itself is often referred to by this name, centering on the figure of John Scopes.
- The Scopes Trial highlighted the tension between evolution and creationism in American education.
Variants and Related Words
- Scopes Trial (n): The 1925 legal case .
- Scopes Monkey Trial (n): The common name for the aforementioned trial.
Synonyms
- Defendant in the Scopes Trial: A descriptive synonym identifying his role in the historical event.
- The Tennessee teacher: A reference to his profession and the location of the trial.
Related Phrases
- "To pull a Scopes" (informal, historical): To challenge a law or authority on grounds of teaching controversial scientific material. (Note: This is a very rare, context-specific construction).
- The professor feared he would be accused of pulling a Scopes for discussing the textbook's content.
Notes on Meaning
This term refers specifically to a historical individual and the singular event with which he is associated. It is not used as a common noun and carries strong historical and cultural connotations about science, religion, and education in the United States.
Noun
- Tennessee highschool teacher who violated a state law by teaching evolution; in a highly publicized trial in 1925 he was prosecuted by William Jennings Bryan and defended by Clarence Darrow (1900-1970)