In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Reverend Hale’s character changes dramatically over the course of the play. Fears of witchcraft had overwhelmed the town of Salem, so they called in a renowned witch hunter, Reverend Hale. When Mr.Hale initially came to Salem, he initially believed that there was definitely witchery present in the town. But the longer Hale stayed in Salem, he realized that his first thought may not have been true. By the time the play ended, the Reverend had altogether changed his mind. In short, Reverend Hale goes from being completely sure of witchcraft, to realizing he may have made a mistake in his judgment, and deciding that he had to do everything he could to reveal the real truth .
With everyone in Salem was …show more content…
He begins to see these flaws during a visit to the Proctor household. He starts by going to their house and questioning the faith of the Proctors. As Hale was about to leave, John Proctor tells Hale that the children’s illness may not be witchcraft. Upon first hearing the revelation, the Reverend is skeptical of the notion, however, after Proctor explains his reasoning, Hale quickly realizes that he has a point. In his hesitant reply to Proctor’s explanation, Hale states “I-I have indeed”(69). Despite saying he had considered the idea that people would “confess” to avoid hanging, he really had not given it any thought at all. After listening to John’s opinion on the children’s illness, he finally realized that he was mistaken in his judgment, and that Proctor was telling the truth. During the court proceedings, Hale realizes that others have put their own interests ahead of what’s right, so he tries to get the court to listen to Elizabeth, the wife of John Proctor, who has the right intentions. Hale states “I think you must hear the girl, sir, she-”(88). By trying to get others to listen to a new idea, he shows that he has changed in that if he is no longer caught up in the hysteria of the town. In short, as the play advances, Hale realizes that there may be an alternate cause of the illness, and that people are putting their
With everyone in Salem was …show more content…
He begins to see these flaws during a visit to the Proctor household. He starts by going to their house and questioning the faith of the Proctors. As Hale was about to leave, John Proctor tells Hale that the children’s illness may not be witchcraft. Upon first hearing the revelation, the Reverend is skeptical of the notion, however, after Proctor explains his reasoning, Hale quickly realizes that he has a point. In his hesitant reply to Proctor’s explanation, Hale states “I-I have indeed”(69). Despite saying he had considered the idea that people would “confess” to avoid hanging, he really had not given it any thought at all. After listening to John’s opinion on the children’s illness, he finally realized that he was mistaken in his judgment, and that Proctor was telling the truth. During the court proceedings, Hale realizes that others have put their own interests ahead of what’s right, so he tries to get the court to listen to Elizabeth, the wife of John Proctor, who has the right intentions. Hale states “I think you must hear the girl, sir, she-”(88). By trying to get others to listen to a new idea, he shows that he has changed in that if he is no longer caught up in the hysteria of the town. In short, as the play advances, Hale realizes that there may be an alternate cause of the illness, and that people are putting their