More handpicked essays just for you.
Role of hale in the crucible
Literary criticism of the crucible by Arthur Miller
Literary criticism of the crucible by Arthur Miller
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Reverend Hale is motivated by the possibility of witchcraft. Hale said, “Have no fear now- we shall find him out if he has come among us and I mean to crush him utterly if has has shown his face” (39). This shows that
Reverend Hale begins his external development starting with the conflict that originated from his attempts to show evidence of witches in Salem but, it only leads to hysteria in which his words become useless. Causing a conflict between himself and the court, in an attempt to convince them that the trials are based on false evidence. Later, Hale tries to convince Proctor to save his own life by confessing to crimes that he did not commit. This all made Hale more reclusive in the end of the book as well as, I believe, made him lose his faith in humanity. Hale’s internal conflict and development comes from the progression of the witch hunt when he begins to realize that Abigail has been lying the whole time and that the charges are all false.
When Reverend Hale first enters the story he is depicted as someone with great knowledge and authority. Proctor tells Hale on page 185, “I’ve heard you were a sensible man, Mister Hale - I hope you’ll leave some of it in Salem.” Hale is well known to people around Salem and he is known for possessing great knowledge. The people will listen to what Hale has to say, but know that his presence means that there is suspicion of witchcraft.
Reverend Hale is the character that changes the most in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible because his feelings on witchcraft turns from full belief to unbelievable doubt, his thoughts on Proctor changes from thinking that he is evil to thinking that he is a good and honest man, and he switches from doing God’s work to doing the Devil’s. Reverend Hale makes a huge change on his claim of witchcraft. In the beginning of the play when Reverend is called to the town of Salem to see if the reason why Betty and Ruth are unconscious is due to witchcraft he brings with him many books. When Reverend Parris sees this he makes a comment that Hale responds to him explaining his expectations. This shows that Reverend Hale is focused on one thing, finding
(35) This shows that Hale is so involved in his work that he could possibly end up accusing someone who was not guilty of witchcraft. Hale seems overly conscious about his own life and his duty to serve the people to find the devil in Salem; he doesn’t seem to like the idea that he himself could be wicked. This shows that Hale too, did not show himself to be truthful and courteous when it came to the
Just arriving in Salem, Rev. Hale is already the center of everyone’s attention; he was going to be the hero who finds the witch and brings back the holiness of the town. Hale was determined to find the truth and felt that he had to know everything about a person before they were convicted. When talking to John and Elizabeth Proctor, he mentions,” … I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court.” (Miller 63).
Throughout The Crucible, during the Salem Witch Trials, Reverend Hale slowly changes from a ‘confident man with a plan’, to a haggard preacher who seems to be losing himself amongst the chaos of these colonial trials based off of lies. After a life-altering experience, Hale is never again the same person he started out as. In the beginning of
“What made a minister who saw the dangers, who wanted to protect the innocent and convict the guilty, side with the court?” ( Overview) Hale was brought into the village of Salem on a mission to prove if there was witchcraft present. Hale comes into the village with good intentions, and a strong desire to help the village. (Overview) As the story unfolds, Hale begins to notice how the girls are throwing out the accusations as a way to gain attention, and causing innocent people to be murdered or taken to prison.
The moment Hale enters the town of Salem, he brings about him an aura of sophistication and intelligence. He was called to the town to investigate the murmurs of witchery having previously encountered witches in his own town of Beverly. When the townspeople of Salem first see him “he appears loaded down with a dozen heavy books” (478). The presence of Hale and his books puts many town members at ease because of the implied intelligence that he must have.
At the beginning half of the play, for Hale it was strictly business by following the law to maintain order, and as time passed, he played a major contribution in the beginning of the witch trials. For instance, in his first scene of the play he goes into Parris' home to help his niece, who is expected to wield a spell cast on her, and is conveying an overwhelming heap of books that are "`..are weighted with authority'" (34).He organizes himself up to disregard any conclusions based on emotional association or sensibility by keeping within reach law-induced books to guide him. He assures that his books will help to maintain control over the emerging dilemma. What's more, when two church-going ladies, Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey, happened to be accused of witchcraft, the ladies' spouses start to contend the case, yet Hale still seemingly defends the court. : "`I have seen too many frightful proofs in court
When Reverend Hale was first introduced into the play, it was that Reverend Parris had asked Hale to come down and assist in the pursuit of the evil that was devouring their small town whole. Hale was cautious at first in accepting situations that people believe have witchery involved. Considering he is recognized for his authority on witchcraft and the devil, Hale initially comes off as arrogant and authoritative. Although Hale never accused anyone of witchcraft, he just asked questions about it, he is more than ready to investigate and rid Salem of any demonic influences. In Act I, Hale arrives with his heavy books of authority.
Reverend Hale comes to Salem with an abundant collection
Reverend Hale is a character who changes his thoughts about witchcraft after seeing the horror that he had caused. He comes into Salem as someone who wants to prove that witchcraft exists after previous failed attempts (Miller 1146). Despite his animus, his reason for coming to Salem changed after he realizes that the people accused are innocent (1224). However, Hale only wanted to prove his theory but instead, he ended up destroying a town in return. Witchcraft seemed like a logical matter in Salem.
The witches are on the hunt for the innocent souls of Salem with Hale stating, “The Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points” (Miller 1251). Hale is determined to use God’s mighty hand against the “evil witches”. This shows that Hale is faithful to Abigail’s accusations against the common people of Salem. At first, Reverend Hale is eager to prosecute, but as more innocent people are condemned, his compliance turns into distaste. His dissatisfaction eventually turns into rage when Hale shouts, “I denounce these proceedings!”
To begin, When reverend hale went to salem he was very confident. Reverend Hale, knew a lot about witches and spirits. Hale took witchcraft very seriously, he believed there was actually something going on in salem. Next, Hale is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. When hale gets to salem, he is very tired and has very little motivation.
