Authority or Truth? A twisted play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller was based in the town of Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692. There were peculiar characters throughout the play such as Abigail who was the leader of “the girls” and accused Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft so that Elizabeth’s husband, John Proctor, would be available for romantic relations. Also, there was Reverend Parris who only cared about his money and power. Finally, there was Reverend Hale who experienced the most change throughout the entire play. Reverend Hale was called to Salem by Reverend Parris because his daughter, Betty, was unconscious lying in bed. The doctors could not find any signs of illness to determine a diagnosis. When Hale arrived he immediately established that he had supremacy, “They must be; they are weighted with authority” (36) responded Reverend Hale when Parris commented on the weight of his books. Hale then realized that the people of Salem were seriously considering witchcraft to be the cause of Betty’s illness, so he questioned Abigail and
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She was asked to recite the commandments and she said that she could with great confidence. John Proctor had more difficulty but he was not one that was accused. As Hale was leaving, Ezekiel Cheever arrived and took Elizabeth away to jail. Seeing how pure Elizabeth was, Hale assured Proctor, “What I have heard in her favor, I will not fear to testify in court” (78).Hale gets a small inkling of a doubt that the court is not looking enough into the cases before arresting and even hanging people. Hale’s central conflict is exposed at this point in the plot. Hale wanted to keep his authoritative status by saying and doing what was favorable by the people in town, including the court, but also began to see that the accusations of the people may have not been
She was asked to recite the commandments and she said that she could with great confidence. John Proctor had more difficulty but he was not one that was accused. As Hale was leaving, Ezekiel Cheever arrived and took Elizabeth away to jail. Seeing how pure Elizabeth was, Hale assured Proctor, “What I have heard in her favor, I will not fear to testify in court” (78).Hale gets a small inkling of a doubt that the court is not looking enough into the cases before arresting and even hanging people. Hale’s central conflict is exposed at this point in the plot. Hale wanted to keep his authoritative status by saying and doing what was favorable by the people in town, including the court, but also began to see that the accusations of the people may have not been