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The Character Of Reverend Hale In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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No matter how relentless someone can be, acts of atrocity in moments of hysteria can have a large impact on them. This impact can make them change their habits of practice and perception of what is right and wrong. A change in a character’s view of his role could be for better or worse, and on some occasions multiple changes can occur. In the novel, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, Reverend John Hale is introduced as a methodical and precise authority figure. He is summoned to Salem to look over and help ascertain witchcraft in the supposedly afflicted girls. However, as the story progresses, Reverend Hale begins to change his outlook on how he should handle the problem. Reverend Hale goes through two different changes throughout the …show more content…

Upon being called to Salem, Hale “felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for” (Miller 31). Hale is filled with pride as he is being recognized as a serious authority after previously finding false witchcraft in Beverly. In addition, he shows up to town with many books and he continues to comment on the contents of them whether asked or not. When Parris asks Hale what book he has, Hale replies with, “Here is all the invisible world, caught defined, and calculated. In these book's the devil stands stripped of all his brute disguises… Have no fear now--we shall find him out if he has came among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face!” (37). Hale’s confidence in himself and his knowledge is carried with the books. Hale strongly believes that he has everything he needs; and that if need be, he will defeat the devil and resolve this issue. His extreme confidence in himself shows when he conveys, “The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of hell upon her” (35-36). He declares this to make it clear that his word should be held over everything else. He lets the people know that they can not rush to the conclusion of witchcraft; and that there may be nothing of the devils work in town at all. This statement also shows how he was skeptical of witchcraft at

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