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The Broken Minister In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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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 …show more content…

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

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It is proven that John Hale does not believe that witches are real and John Proctor is telling the truth that Abigail and the rest of the girls were lying about the people being witches. Abigail told John Proctor that they were pretending because Abigail did not want her name blackened in Salem. Proctor told Hale what Abigail has told him and now Hale is wondering if he is telling the truth. He then finds out that Proctor is telling the truth and Hale realizes that he has killed innocent people. And so it has been demonstrated how John Hale’s character goes from being a witch hunter and later on how he realizes that witches are not real.

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Reverend Hale is still struggling with believing the truth but he finally believes in the third act. The third act takes place in court where John testifies. Hale now knows the truth and believes that justice will be served. Everything gets placed out in the open (it is a hoax, the affair, and the dancing in the woods) but Danforth and Hathorne do not believe it. “But it does not follow that everyone accused is part of it” (Miller, 215).

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The scene is needed to confirm that Abigail’s actions are motivated by her love for John Proctor. When John Proctor comes over to see what is wrong with Betty in Act One, Abigail believes that John has come to see her. She informs him that she knows that he truly lovers her. Proctor denies her ludicrous statement, but she doesn’t believe him claiming, “You love me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!” (Miller 22).

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655 Words | 3 Pages

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).

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Towards the end, Hale changes from a person who carries his heavy written laws to a person who hates the court. During Act III, after Danforth arrested Proctor, Hale is so angry with the court that he yells, "I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (Act 3, 120). The quote might seem really simple, but it is significant because Hale finally figures out that the court system is a failure to the society, and also figures out what he should be go after. As a result in Act 4 when Hale tries to convince Elizabeth to tell Proctor to confess, Hale says, “‘Beware, Goody Proctor –cleave to no faith when faith brings blood.

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Hale acknowledges human’s mortality more so than Danforth who believes his word is the final say. Furthermore, Judge Danforth appears to only be concerned with having those who were jailed, confess to being witches whether they were or not. All those who do not confess to conspiring with the devil in his eyes are evil and those “who weep for [them, therefore] weep for corruption” (134). In contrast, Hale is desperate to save the innocent from their inevitable doom because he believes “life is God’s most precious gift” and “no principle [] may justify taking it” (122). He even encourages Elizabeth Proctor to “prevail upon [her] husband to confess” because “God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride” (122).

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865 Words | 4 Pages

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

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At the same time he is doing his duty of making her confess. Nevertheless, Reverend Hale knows that John and Elizabeth are innocent, and that Abigail Williams and the girls are guilty of witchcraft.” You are goodwife Proctor”(2. 266-267). He could have done something more than just trying to convince Judge Danforth that they are innocent.

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242 Words | 1 Pages

In Act 3, John Proctor admits to the court his affair with Abigail Williams to save his wife’s life. He explains Abigail’s plan to kill Elizabeth Proctor and dance with him on her grave. (Miller 873). When Proctor calls Abigail a whore, he gives the court an opportunity to end the trials. Additionally,

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Hale, defeated, weeps in prayer as Proctor is sent to hung. Reverend Hale's downfall in the novel was his quick assumption that there was witchcraft in Salem. Everyone's fear of the unknown and the chance of witches being present in Salem caused many deaths due to jumping to conclusions. Although he had the best intentions to bring justice to Salem, he made an improper call. He realizes his error and tries with all he has to make it right, but fails.

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1608 Words | 7 Pages

(I.465-472). Seeing Abigail cry, it suggests that Abigail’s affair with John Proctor has influenced her behavior in jealousy and lust as she strives for nothing more than her love for John Proctor. By only being heartbroken, Abigail is not to be fully blamed for the hysteria within the town as her actions are only based on desperate attempts to win John Proctor over, and no intentional harm whatsoever. However, on the other hand, Abigail cannot be excused with outside forces making her the way she is due to the fact that she has clearly had a choice in most of her decisions and actions throughout the witchcraft crisis. When Mary Warren, another girl involved in the forest incident, enters the court, she explains to Danforth, the judge, that the girls are lying and are only pretending to see spirits.

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1218 Words | 5 Pages

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John showcases his goodness, by having a strong conscience, and firm principled beliefs. Although, John demonstrates great moral character, there are very few people in present-day society that showcase his great valour and bravery. In modern society, people are constantly made conscious of their wealth and status as a measure of their nobility and goodness. However, many societies do not realize that goodness can only come from within, when an individual is willing to face their truths and

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609 Words | 3 Pages

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!”

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John confessed to adultery, ripped up his confession, and resisted the temptation of Abigail. Because John willingly did these things, he proved that he regained his moral excellence. John’s confession to adultery was one way he showed his goodness. John Proctor and Abigail had an affair prior to the play’s beginning, and the only individual who knew of this was John’s wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth was extremely sick and John found comfort through his young servant and secret lover Abigail.

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As a result, people begin to blame witchery on others whom they have vengeances with. These actions result in many well, respected people's execution. A prime example of a character who goes through this process is John Proctor. The court of Salem tests John Proctor by threatening him to confess in exchange for his life. This brings out many of his weaknesses and strengths.

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