ipl-logo

How Does Hale Change In The Crucible

655 Words3 Pages

Often in literature, a character’s relationship with another person or group changes. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, there is one change that is significant to the plot. In a small town, Salem, all of the townspeople believe that there are witches among them. Terrified, as well as paranoid, a court comes to Salem and starts weaving through everyone in the town convicting the good and the bad people. Reverend Hale was on the court until he realized that the system he believed to be fair and just was anything but. 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). He says this to assure the Proctor’s that he is getting to know everyone in Salem as this would ensure that he is being fair in his decisions. Judge Danforth, however, did not do this; therefore he has no idea what anyone is like around him. …show more content…

Everyone in Salem was shocked because these three were the kindest women in the entire town; they believed this to be so true that they all signed a document that stated that they believed in the goodness in the lady’s hearts. Hale suggested that Proctor gets a lawyer that would be able to present the document to the court in the correct way; however, Parris believed that it was an attack upon the court and Danforth believed that a lawyer automatically makes someone guilty. Reverend Hale responded with, “Is every defense an attack upon the court?” (Miller 94). Hale sees Parris’s immediate retort to any evidence is that it is only presented with bad

Show More
Related

  • Similarities Between Hale And John Proctor

    1033 Words  | 5 Pages

    (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

    Read More

  • The Dynamic Character Of Reverend Hale In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    245 Words  | 1 Pages

    In The Crucible Reverend John Hale is a very dynamic character. To understand why Reverend Hale is a dynamic character, we need to look back to act one, when Hale was new to Salem. During this point, Hale has complete faith and trust in the court system. Reverend Hale said to John Proctor, “I thought, … to put some questions at to the Christian character of this house ... if you’ll permit me” (Miller 61). Therefore Hale believes in the court so much that he helps the court find witches in Salem.

    Read More

  • The Transformation Of Reverend Hale In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    458 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the character of Reverend Hale transforms considerably from Act I to Act IV. From his initial beliefs of practicing justice and preventing witchcraft to ultimately his loss of faith and his culpability and apprehension towards the events that will eventually occur in regards to the Salem hangings. Hale's transformation changes the play by sprouting distrust in the Judicial system within Salem and surrounding areas. Hales transition from a slightly smug, starry eyed, deeply devoted christian, to an untrusting, unfaithful, pessimistic man affected the play by giving us the readers a sense of empathy for Hale who had been mislead to persecute innocents instead of convicting real evil doers for the benefit of unjust, untrustworthy people such Reverend Parris and Ezekial Cheever for their own personal incentives.

    Read More

  • The Crucible Character Changes

    384 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many aspects of one's life can change over time, people’s attitude, opinions, thoughts, the way they look, etc. There are times where people don't change. In literature and media most characters change and learn from their mistakes. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible like many plays and media, characters learn from the events that happen and change based on what happened. Reverend Parris, a character in the book, does not change, despite what events happened in Salem.

    Read More

  • Reverend Hale Change In The Beginning Essay

    705 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Reverend Hale In The Crucible

    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

    Read More

  • Examples Of Confession In The Crucible

    1240 Words  | 5 Pages

    Reverend Parris, Deputy Governor Danforth, and Reverend Hale’s desire for Proctor’s confession demonstrates their need to keep up their reputations and the well-being of the citizens of Salem. A motive for Proctor’s confession is for Reverend Parris and Danforth’s reputations to be upheld and avoid a rebellion of the townspeople against the court and leaders. Parris fears that if Proctor is to be hanged, then the town will attempt to overthrow the court for it’s dishonesty and rebel against him. Danforth’s beliefs are similar to Parris’: if Proctor does not confess, then his reputation of holding up an honest and valid court would be ruined.

    Read More

  • How Did Reverend Hale Change In The Crucible

    525 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Hale In The Crucible

    1097 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • How Does Reverend Hale Change In The Crucible

    273 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Examples Of Internal Conflict In The Crucible

    582 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, as he discovers more about the accused themselves, Hale begins to doubt his initial judgment, and questions the competency of the court in honestly assessing the witch trials. Yet, in fear of choosing a side, Hale becomes tactfully neutral and desperate for the truth, as he advocates for “proof so immaculate” that the verdict would be just and indelible (188). His logical and analytical nature lends him towards Proctor’s argument, but he is compelled to stay firm with the law, especially as Danforth and Parris challenge his loyalty throughout the case. During the trials, the Reverend experiences a foreboding guilt for the first time, as he recognizes his culpability in the lives that he may have incorrectly denounced. Although he has the power to defend his conscience, his religious duty and responsibilities towards the court

    Read More

  • The Role Of Reverend Hale In The Crucible

    560 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the beginning acts, Hale was trusting the court more than John and was a big part of handling warrants of the accused individuals along with having much confidence in himself, his knowledge of witchcraft, and knowledge of witches in Salem. In Act 2 and 3 in the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the character Reverend Hale was changing a lot. Throughout the first act of this play Reverend Hale had much of his trust in the court and fully believed the devil is in Salem but as the trial begins and goes on things start to change when Hale starts to question the court shown when he pleads

    Read More

  • Examples Of Heroism In The Crucible

    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!”

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Reverend Hale The Crucible

    970 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Was Hale Justified In The Crucible

    676 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about How Does Hale Change In The Crucible

Open Document