In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Puritan townsfolk in colonial Massachusetts are driven into mass hysteria after their friends, families, and enemies are accused of witchcraft as a result of a disturbance caused by frenzied teenage girls in the forest. In 1692, the villagers live under a government composed of a Puritan theocracy that does not allow any form of misconduct, so they take this preternatural disorder as an opportunity to publicly announce invisible crimes against their adversaries. As a result, Reverend John Hale of Beverly, a confident and well-respected minister and doctor of divinity is called to take religious authority and investigate the alarming, preternatural episodes of Salem. At the beginning, Hale exhibits arrogance
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In frustration, he courageously stands up to the judges to “denounce [their] proceedings” and “quit the court”(III.120). By doing so, he goes against the theocracy, his beliefs, and his duty as a minister, but supports what he knows is right. Thus, Hale undergoes an evolution of his mindset, finally gaining his own light to understand that he was disillusioned by Salem. At this turning point, he is exposed to be the only genuinely sincere, sympathetic, and amenable minister and authoritative figure of Salem, forcing himself save the accused women by convincing them to commit perjury against their faith as well. Although “steeped in sorrow [and] exhaust[ion],” (IV.129) Hale’s desperation to reprieve his guilt is demonstrated when he begs Elizabeth to “plead with [John Proctor]” to lie. Proclaiming, “What profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? Go to him, take his shame away,” (IV.145) his dismal use of language and imminent questions present his newly broken view of life. Tragically, Hale’s realization is too late save anyone, as they gracefully accept death instead of cowardly sin, but he finally understands the consequences and truths to the lies built in the town of Salem, and shamefully regrets for not being able to bring goodness to others without their
In frustration, he courageously stands up to the judges to “denounce [their] proceedings” and “quit the court”(III.120). By doing so, he goes against the theocracy, his beliefs, and his duty as a minister, but supports what he knows is right. Thus, Hale undergoes an evolution of his mindset, finally gaining his own light to understand that he was disillusioned by Salem. At this turning point, he is exposed to be the only genuinely sincere, sympathetic, and amenable minister and authoritative figure of Salem, forcing himself save the accused women by convincing them to commit perjury against their faith as well. Although “steeped in sorrow [and] exhaust[ion],” (IV.129) Hale’s desperation to reprieve his guilt is demonstrated when he begs Elizabeth to “plead with [John Proctor]” to lie. Proclaiming, “What profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? Go to him, take his shame away,” (IV.145) his dismal use of language and imminent questions present his newly broken view of life. Tragically, Hale’s realization is too late save anyone, as they gracefully accept death instead of cowardly sin, but he finally understands the consequences and truths to the lies built in the town of Salem, and shamefully regrets for not being able to bring goodness to others without their