How Does Hale Change In The Crucible

Out of all the characters in The Crucible, none of them show quite as much development as Reverend John Hale. His character at the beginning of the play and his character at the end are almost completely different people. This change in character is caused by the trials that take place within the town and how Hale perceives them, and affects how the reader views his unique character. At the beginning of the play, the story introduces the young, naive John Hale. Parris has called for him to check out his daughter and see if she has been inflicted by some sort of witchcraft. This being something he takes great pride in, he is glad that his talent is finally being recognized. Hale is responsible for fueling the already rampant witch hysteria taking place in Salem by urging for people to testify to their satanic ways so that they can right
Not only does his attitude about witches change, but his faith in religion and in the law have truly gone astray as well. By act IV, the once devout religious man is encouraging the accused to lie and say that they indeed dealt with the Devil so that they can be freed from execution. He chooses surrender over defiance, which is something that John Proctor and the other heroic characters refuse to do. With these changes Hale undergoes, it also changes how the reader feels about the once bitter character we had come to know. When introduced to Hale, most readers would likely build up a strong dislike for the accusing and tension he sparks within the town. However, The Crucible is written in such a way that the reader’s opinions of this character are changing little by little as the play goes on. By act IV, most people feel sympathetic for Hale, but only to an extent. Though his character is broken by all the events that have taken place, he is partially to blame which is why it is hard for the reader to find complete