How Does Hale Change In The Crucible

Evan Clark
Cochran
English III
20 February 2023
Dynamic Character essay
According to N.J Simmonds, “Dynamic character is one who changes and evolves throughout the story.” Few characters show change within The Crucible. The character that appears to change the most throughout the play is Reverand Hale. Hale appears in Salem initially trying to condemn the ones who had “been with the devil.” Then Hale starts getting uneasy feelings concerning the judgment upon the civilians. Toward the end of the play, Hale realizes that the girls have been lying all along and all the condemned people turn out as innocent. Through Reverand Hales's transformation, he changes from a condemner to a spectator, to a defender. Arthur Miller illustrates how people

At the beginning of The Crucible, Reverand Hale had the full intention of Condemning all that danced with the Devil in Salem. He interrogated every person in a sincere attempt to get to the bottom of it. Within the text, Hale stated, “We shall need hard study if it comes to tracking down that ole boy…” (Miller 9) This shows the urgency in which Reverand Hale wanted to find the devil. He had almost an arrogant way about him in the search for the devil. He also states, “the devil can never overcome a minister.” (Miller 15) This quote shows Hale's arrogance and that he thought the devil could never overcome a minister such as himself. Hale made it clear that he was willing to hang any person that was unwilling to confess to witchcraft, therefore, he was in the middle of all this murder and

He even started to defend the victims and convince the court of that the judging was unfair. He was aware of the innocence of the people but could say nothing to sway their judgment of them. Reverend Hale states, “your honor I cannot think you must judge this man on such evidence.” (Miller 58) This quote from hale Shows his outlook changed to trying to help the victims. It had come to the point where most of the whole town was being convicted and he had a full understanding that the girls were lying about people the whole time. Hale also states, “I would save your husband life for if he is taken I count myself a murderer.” (Miller 55) This quote From hale shows the guilt he has toward the victims. He felt as if he was guilty because he was a big part of the judgments at first. He now knows that they were all guiltless and had no blame for what they were accused