The Crucible Reverend Hale Analysis

He was probably teetering on the brink of for and against the trials, when his wife was accused and it put him over the edge. After this he came out against the Salem Witch Trials, proclaiming them hysteric. Years later, he published a book commenting on the witch trials. Although the book never denies that witches are real, his book did say that the fear that everyone felt that people were compelled to believe the girls’ accusations, “Such was the darkness of the day, the tortures and lamentations of the afflicted, and the power of the former presidents, that we walked in the clouds, and could not see our way. And we have most cause to be humbled for error on that hand, which cannot be retrieved.” This quote shows Hale admitting his wrongs, and apologizing for his errors.

During The Crucible, the Witch Trials caused many court hearings. A good deal of the court hearings consisted of people over exaggerating outbursts of demons inside of them just to get somebody convicted. The Witch Trails also affected the church in many ways. Reverend Parris’ already had a wicked reputation as their minister, and the trials made it even worse. People wanted him out of the church.

These themes can be seen throughout the story as Mr. Hooper, the main character as a Reverend, punishes himself over a sin that is never revealed. He punishes himself to the utmost ability by blocking himself from the rest of the world, which in turn causes him to lose his social status and soon become a dark and mysterious man. Although society often frowns upon unexplained or uncommon beliefs, one should still be bound to them even if there are those who greatly oppose it, like Reverend Hooper had done in “The Minister’s Black Veil”. Even though Mr. Hooper is in a healthy relationship with his wife, he says, “Know, then this veil is a type and a symbol, and I am bound to wear it ever, both in light and darkness, in solitude and before the gaze of multitudes, and as with strangers, so with my familiar friends. No mortal eye will see it withdrawn.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller shows what the people in the town of Salem went through during the witch trials. Reverend Hale, a character in the story is an expert in the dark arts, and is in Salem to find out if there are witches. Upon arrival he faces many difficult scenarios for even an expert like himself. Reverend Hale’s feelings are tried throughout the entirety of his visit in Salem; his opinions change with every new stone overturned. When Hale is initially interviewing Betty Parris and Abigail he uncovers a certain turn of events to persuade him to believe witches are loose in Salem.

Reverend Parris only considers the consequences on his name, nevertheless the health of his own child. The presence of the Devil causes a sort of fear about the future for him, and what will happen to his life if he is convicted of witchcraft in his household. The fear of people rising the Devil, in their religious society, causes people in act in outrageous ways to cleanse the society. Throughout the act, people have taken interest in Betty, and Ruth (The Putnam’s child) as they are seen to be witches. The popular interest in the children is caused by the fear of the power of the Devil.

Nathaniel Nguyen The Crucible Arthur Miller English 2 Honors Period 2 Witch Hunting During the years 1692 to 1693, The Salem Witch Trials were a time of great fear and hysteria, as even neighbors would accuse one another of witchcraft just to lower the suspicion that they themselves were witches. Although many people nowadays are very well aware of what happened during this frightful time, most still don’t know how the Salem Witch Trials actually began. The Crucible by Arthur Miller captures the horrific experience of the Salem Witch Trials from their very beginning, to their ending when people began realizing that the entire situation had been a lie from the very start. The main character, John Proctor, may seem to be a normal, middle aged man living in the Puritan town of Salem, but however, he holds a dark secret: he cheated on his wife with a girl named Abigail Williams. What he doesn 't know, is that by cheating with Abigail, he partly started the Salem witch madness; John makes Abigail very envious of his wife, and thus, she begins accusing others of dark sorcery and witchcraft.

During this scene this young reverend cries to Judge Danforth, “I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor. I 'll not conceal it; my hand shakes yet as with a wound!" (184). In this moment Hale shows realization for being manipulated into believing witchcraft presence in Salem condemning those who were accused. Filled with guilt this spiritual leader decides to advocate for those who had been accused of witchcraft.

He lived the rest of his life in nightmares and fears which denounced his actions. He realized how unscrupulous his actions were and his souls is long huanted by it. After the murder, he does not dare to put the dagger back. We could see, from this point, The warrior and Duncan’s “worthiest cousin” (1.4.15) is so terrified by his own action that a sound would scare him. While he is haunted by guilt, Macbeth has to secure his throne by murdering Banquo and Fleance.

King perfects this age-old writing tactic and uses it to keep the reader in a constant state of unease, with little to no idea as to how the situation will play out. King will often lead the reader down a certain path only to pull a complete 180 on them and will turn the story on its head, all for the purpose of keeping the reader on their feet. He does this most profoundly with Beverly Marsh. Beverly had been abused by her dad so in her mind it made sense to her that she would eventually marry an abusive husband, and so she did with Tom Rogan. King goes out of his way to establish the history of abuse and mistreatment Beverly has suffered at the hands of the belligerent Tom and he makes it seem like we are about to bare witness to another vicious beating via belt after Tom sees Bev smoking a cigarette.

When in Act 3 Parris says, “This is a clear attack on the court!” When he says this, he is defending his reputation and the court in fear of being exposed because part of him knows this isn’t true. Later you would think after Abigail left he would have changed but no he is just scared for his life. Act 4 states, “Tonight, when I open my door to leave my house—a dagger clattered to the ground. Silence. Danforth absorbs this.