The Broken Minister In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

The Broken Minister

Religion often guides one down “the right path” in life through rules and restrictions. However, if you were to break these codes of conduct, would you still consider yourself to be a good person? An example of this question, and the answer, can be found in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. A plot filled with tragedy, death, and human nature, The Crucible tells the story of the Salem witch trials. The town of Salem is struck with terror when a group of girls claim that there are witches and wizards amidst them. The situation escalates quickly and soon a court is set up in Salem with people being accused, convicted, and executed because of witchcraft charges. The central figure in this story, John Proctor, along

This stage first develops when he travels around Salem, personally investigating the people mentioned in the court. The conversation between the Proctors and Reverend Hale shows that he has suspected the girls of lying due to their fear of being hanged. Furthermore, when Giles Corey and Francis Nurse come to the Proctors’ household claiming that their wives have been taken to jail for witchcraft, it becomes evident that Reverend Hale is becoming increasingly doubtful. “Hale, in great pain: Man, remember until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven” (Miller 68). Although he is defending the court’s decisions, the words in italics point out his increasing misgivings and reservations. In Act III, Reverend John Hale witnesses Mary Warren confess to pretending in the court, as well as Abigail subtly not answering the question asked by Judge Danforth concerning her honesty. Shortly after, Abigail begins acting strangely and says the cause of her frightened behavior is Mary Warren’s spirit reaching out to her. In response, John Proctor reacts by first physically lashing out towards Abigail and then by admitting to having committed the sin of lechery with Abigail. After this accusation, Abigail denies any partaking in the crime and tries to flee. As a bystander, Reverend Hale realizes that the only reason a prideful man like John Proctor would tarnish his name is because he wanted to tell the truth. Reverend Hale’s doubts lead to the eventual realization that the court is flawed, and he begins to try to save the innocent lives that he himself