Morality is a key element in the human decision making processes. Many individuals tend to make decisions that seem like the “right” thing to do, and the determination of what’s right and wrong is based off of one's morals. The motif of morality, and its effects on the human condition, is presented in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible. In his play, Miller establishes Reverend John Hale as a dynamic character and shows how he changes from being obligated to the church, his actual job, to being obligated to help the people of Salem due to moral reasons; Miller traces this change in order to convey the idea that humans have a natural tendency to follow their own morals and that individuals who act against their morals are overcome with guilt,
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Following the calumny at the end of Act I, Hale takes it upon himself to research further into the matter of the devil’s presence in Salem. He goes to John Proctor’s house in order to question into the Proctors’ Christian character and requests that John Proctor recites the Ten Commandments. When Proctor fails to list all ten, Hale points out that “theology... is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small” (67). Reverend Hale’s reference to a crack in a fortress serves as a metaphor to represent the small deviations from theology. He is essentially stating that any slight deviation from the traditions of religion is considered a threat to society and that any simple act of heresy, no matter how small, will bring a society to pieces. The fact that Hale considers these small deviations from the Christian character as threats to social order shows Hale’s devotion to the church and his duty at the church: to find the source of the devil in Salem and provide an explanation for the recent “supernatural” events. He is trying so hard to find answers that he will consider any small mishap as evidence of the devil in Salem, and this act demonstrates the extent to which Hale will go for his job. At this point, Hale’s true morals have yet to be seen, but it is clear where his intentions lie. Hale’s disregard for …show more content…
In Act III, Proctor confronts Judge Danforth and presents a testament to exonerate his wife and the wives of his friends. However, Reverend Parris objects to the evidence, stating that it is an attack against the court. In immediate response, Hale asks Parris if “every defense [is] an attack upon the court?” (94). Hale finally sees the madness occurring in the Salem justice system, and he points out how the court system seems to deny any evidence in support of the defense. In Miller’s society of Salem, such an opposition to the court can result in serious trouble, but Hale ignores this fact and questions the court’s tactics anyways. This seems to be the the beginning of Hale’s turning point in regards to his internal conflict between his job and his morals. Up until this point in the play, Hale has continually acted in a manner so as to accomplish his job, but he now sees the corruption against the court system and decides to speak up for his morals and the people of Salem. By having Hale spontaneously start following his morals, Miller is now illustrating how adherence to one’s morals is a natural tendency amongst humans. No one told Hale to start advocated his morals or to do what was morally right; he was simply told to do his job. His quick change of heart, however
Following the calumny at the end of Act I, Hale takes it upon himself to research further into the matter of the devil’s presence in Salem. He goes to John Proctor’s house in order to question into the Proctors’ Christian character and requests that John Proctor recites the Ten Commandments. When Proctor fails to list all ten, Hale points out that “theology... is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small” (67). Reverend Hale’s reference to a crack in a fortress serves as a metaphor to represent the small deviations from theology. He is essentially stating that any slight deviation from the traditions of religion is considered a threat to society and that any simple act of heresy, no matter how small, will bring a society to pieces. The fact that Hale considers these small deviations from the Christian character as threats to social order shows Hale’s devotion to the church and his duty at the church: to find the source of the devil in Salem and provide an explanation for the recent “supernatural” events. He is trying so hard to find answers that he will consider any small mishap as evidence of the devil in Salem, and this act demonstrates the extent to which Hale will go for his job. At this point, Hale’s true morals have yet to be seen, but it is clear where his intentions lie. Hale’s disregard for …show more content…
In Act III, Proctor confronts Judge Danforth and presents a testament to exonerate his wife and the wives of his friends. However, Reverend Parris objects to the evidence, stating that it is an attack against the court. In immediate response, Hale asks Parris if “every defense [is] an attack upon the court?” (94). Hale finally sees the madness occurring in the Salem justice system, and he points out how the court system seems to deny any evidence in support of the defense. In Miller’s society of Salem, such an opposition to the court can result in serious trouble, but Hale ignores this fact and questions the court’s tactics anyways. This seems to be the the beginning of Hale’s turning point in regards to his internal conflict between his job and his morals. Up until this point in the play, Hale has continually acted in a manner so as to accomplish his job, but he now sees the corruption against the court system and decides to speak up for his morals and the people of Salem. By having Hale spontaneously start following his morals, Miller is now illustrating how adherence to one’s morals is a natural tendency amongst humans. No one told Hale to start advocated his morals or to do what was morally right; he was simply told to do his job. His quick change of heart, however