Final answer:
The Scopes Monkey Trial became a spectacle due to its emblematic clash between modernists and conservative Christian fundamentalists over the teaching of evolution in schools, and the dramatic courtroom proceedings that attracted national media attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Scopes Monkey Trial became a public spectacle due to its dramatic clash between the modernists, who were secular and liberal, and the conservative Christian fundamentalists. This trial revolved around John Scopes, a high school teacher, who was accused of violating a Tennessee law that forbade the teaching of evolution. The focus on whether evolution should be taught in public schools symbolized a broader conflict over the role of science and religion in American society.
The trial garnered immense attention from the media, transforming the courtroom into a national theater. The drama peaked when defense lawyer Clarence Darrow summoned the prosecutor William Jennings Bryan to the stand to question him about his literal interpretation of the Bible.
This strategy highlighted the deep ideological divide in society and reinforced the spectacle as the cross-examination sparked emotional reactions from both sides of the debate.
The coverage of such events is often influenced by the perspectives of different news sources, potentially shifting the focus from substantial arguments to more provocative and sensational aspects. The Scopes trial was no exception, as it became emblematic of the ongoing culture wars, providing a platform for both ridicule and defense of personal beliefs.