Change is inevitable. This unavoidable uncertainty is something that every person must endure in their lifetime, and more often than not it does not go as planned. Through an examination of The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, it is evident that both Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris undergo a drastic change in the course of the novel. Hale and Parris experience this striking transformation as they go from having their actions dictated by their role and power in Salem, to being controlled by doubt and fear, and then concluding with the realization that their Puritan Belief System is not only destructive but has been manipulated by a group of attention-seeking girls. Firstly, when Reverend Hale is requested to come to Salem, because of his expertise
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At this phase both men realize how corrupt Salem, and their Puritan belief system genuinely is. In Hale’s situation, in Act Four he becomes aware that the victim have been falsely accused and the girls are all lying. As a result he attempts to persuade those convicted, specifically John Proctor, to confess even though they are innocent. Whilst speaking with Elizabeth Proctor, Hale desperately says, “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. Beware, Goody Proctor - cleave to no faith when faith brings blood. It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. 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. Will you plead with him? I cannot think he will listen to another.” (132) This speech is Hale’s valiant attempt to get Elizabeth to convince John to confess, and in it he outlines perfectly his change in his nature, along with his mistakes, throughout the course of the trials. He explains to Elizabeth that as he entered the doors of Salem he was confident and eager to prove himself, but he was too interested in the little facts, to see the whole picture. Thusly he, along with the entire town, were manipulated by young, deceiving girls, and for that he is entirely sorry. This realization that Hale has, is the proof for the reader that confirms the statement that Reverend Hale is one of the most dynamic characters in The
At this phase both men realize how corrupt Salem, and their Puritan belief system genuinely is. In Hale’s situation, in Act Four he becomes aware that the victim have been falsely accused and the girls are all lying. As a result he attempts to persuade those convicted, specifically John Proctor, to confess even though they are innocent. Whilst speaking with Elizabeth Proctor, Hale desperately says, “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. Beware, Goody Proctor - cleave to no faith when faith brings blood. It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. 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. Will you plead with him? I cannot think he will listen to another.” (132) This speech is Hale’s valiant attempt to get Elizabeth to convince John to confess, and in it he outlines perfectly his change in his nature, along with his mistakes, throughout the course of the trials. He explains to Elizabeth that as he entered the doors of Salem he was confident and eager to prove himself, but he was too interested in the little facts, to see the whole picture. Thusly he, along with the entire town, were manipulated by young, deceiving girls, and for that he is entirely sorry. This realization that Hale has, is the proof for the reader that confirms the statement that Reverend Hale is one of the most dynamic characters in The