Character Analysis Of Reverend Hale The Crucible
Reverend Hale is a substantial character that added emphasis in The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. Hale’s most dominant trait was his ambition to fight evil. In the beginning, Hale thought the witch trials were a perfect solution of ridding the town of evil. As the story progressed, he figured out that he had been deceived. Abigail and the other girls had been acting the entire time, and that lead to Hale questioning his faith in the court and his own religion. Act I was the first time Reverend Hale was introduced. Hale was tagged as the “spiritual doctor” who was summoned to evaluate the happening in Salem. He starts off with good intentions during the witch trials. “His goal is light, goodness, and its preservation” (Miller 1148),
the author had stated. This is what drove his desire to defeat the devil. Furthermore, several accusations had transpired since the time Tituba and the girls had committed the crime of witchcraft. The court seems chaotic at this point and the town is falling apart. “And do you know that near four hundred are in jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature” (Miller 1190). Not only has there been four hundred people in jails, but Danforth also said he condemned seventy two people to hang (Miller 1190). Everyone’s trust had been challenged. Hale still believes in the witch trials, however more evidence has come about causing confusion of who the real culprit is. Towards the end of the story, Reverend Hale now knows that the girls were lying. He realizes he has been deceived and is absolutely furious. “I denounce these proceedings. I quit the court!” (Miller 1213). Reverend Hale had gone from thinking the witch trials were for the greater good to believing that the trials were just a big conspiracy. After announcing his withdrawal, he tried to help the innocent who had been condemned. However, he told everyone to lie and confess. This contradicts his thoughts earlier in the story, but he believed it was the right thing to do. As I have stated before, Reverend Hale is a valuable character as he was the first to discover the deception. He developed major change when the fraud was ultimately solved. I have noticed that unlike the other characters, Hale does not immediately declare witchcraft unless he has solid evidence to prove it.
the author had stated. This is what drove his desire to defeat the devil. Furthermore, several accusations had transpired since the time Tituba and the girls had committed the crime of witchcraft. The court seems chaotic at this point and the town is falling apart. “And do you know that near four hundred are in jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature” (Miller 1190). Not only has there been four hundred people in jails, but Danforth also said he condemned seventy two people to hang (Miller 1190). Everyone’s trust had been challenged. Hale still believes in the witch trials, however more evidence has come about causing confusion of who the real culprit is. Towards the end of the story, Reverend Hale now knows that the girls were lying. He realizes he has been deceived and is absolutely furious. “I denounce these proceedings. I quit the court!” (Miller 1213). Reverend Hale had gone from thinking the witch trials were for the greater good to believing that the trials were just a big conspiracy. After announcing his withdrawal, he tried to help the innocent who had been condemned. However, he told everyone to lie and confess. This contradicts his thoughts earlier in the story, but he believed it was the right thing to do. As I have stated before, Reverend Hale is a valuable character as he was the first to discover the deception. He developed major change when the fraud was ultimately solved. I have noticed that unlike the other characters, Hale does not immediately declare witchcraft unless he has solid evidence to prove it.