Amber Giese
Ms. Janssen
American Literature Hour 6
5 October 2015
How To Save A Life
In 1954, Wisconsin Senator, Joseph McCarthy accused many people of being communists and spies in the American government, and spread fear throughout the nation. These claims ruined the lives and careers of people who were never actually guilty of anything. The characters in Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible face intense, life changing circumstances as well. Witch hunts are among them and individuals pray for the lives of their friends and neighbors. The tragic events in Salem cause Reverend Hale, a main character in The Crucible, to change from an arrogant demonology expert into a guilt ridden and deeply saddened man. When Reverend Hale first arrives in Salem, he is toting along his hefty books on demons and evil spirits in hopes of finding …show more content…
Realizing his mistake, Hale suggests that he and the court were too harsh in deciding the fate of John Proctor and the other accused individuals. In an attempt to right his wrongs, he pleads Danforth to "Stop now before another is condemned!" (Miller 1149). Danforth declines his plea, and Hale turns to the side of the accused. When he finds out the truth of Abigail's planned revenge on Elizabeth Proctor, he tries to convince the arraigned people to confess. He speaks to Elizabeth most supremely in an attempt to get John to confess. "I beg you woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. Let him give his lie. Quail not before God's judgement in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride." (Miller 1159). Hale desperately tries to fix the mistakes he made, and his compassionate side begins to show. He becomes a broken man, full of guilt for signing death warrants for innocent lives who wants nothing more on his
Ms. Janssen
American Literature Hour 6
5 October 2015
How To Save A Life
In 1954, Wisconsin Senator, Joseph McCarthy accused many people of being communists and spies in the American government, and spread fear throughout the nation. These claims ruined the lives and careers of people who were never actually guilty of anything. The characters in Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible face intense, life changing circumstances as well. Witch hunts are among them and individuals pray for the lives of their friends and neighbors. The tragic events in Salem cause Reverend Hale, a main character in The Crucible, to change from an arrogant demonology expert into a guilt ridden and deeply saddened man. When Reverend Hale first arrives in Salem, he is toting along his hefty books on demons and evil spirits in hopes of finding …show more content…
Realizing his mistake, Hale suggests that he and the court were too harsh in deciding the fate of John Proctor and the other accused individuals. In an attempt to right his wrongs, he pleads Danforth to "Stop now before another is condemned!" (Miller 1149). Danforth declines his plea, and Hale turns to the side of the accused. When he finds out the truth of Abigail's planned revenge on Elizabeth Proctor, he tries to convince the arraigned people to confess. He speaks to Elizabeth most supremely in an attempt to get John to confess. "I beg you woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. Let him give his lie. Quail not before God's judgement in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride." (Miller 1159). Hale desperately tries to fix the mistakes he made, and his compassionate side begins to show. He becomes a broken man, full of guilt for signing death warrants for innocent lives who wants nothing more on his