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Being prepared to look for signs of witchcraft or any other unnatural causes, Reverend Hale sets down his books and says “they are weighted with authority” (1.1.932-933).
Reverend Hale connects to the theme of ideology since he is an authority figure who supports the church/court by investigating any signs of witchcraft.
By looking at The Crucible by Arthur Miller, one can see that the characterization of Reverend Hale reveals the theme of ideology, which is important because he is an expert witchhunter and authority figure who investigates the witchcraft accusations.
Ideology motivates Reverend Hale to investigate the witchcraft accusations to make sure that the devil is not attacking Salem. Reverend Parris calls for Reverend Hale so that he may
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Furious with the people in court for allowing the girls to manipulate and strike fear into their hearts, Hale shouts aloud: “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (3.1.1499-1500). Hale felt the court was weak and the people in it in dismay. Wanting to save Elizabeth’s husband(John Proctor) from being hanged, Hale says, “I would save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer” (4.1.423-425). Hale sought to save Elizabeth’s husband or else he would feel guilty/responsible for his hanging.
Conclusion: By looking at The Crucible by Arthur Miller, one can see that the characterization of Reverend Hale reveals the theme of ideology, which is important because he is an expert witchhunter and authority figure who investigates the witchcraft accusations. But as the story goes on, Hale changes and seeks to help save people that have been falsely accused of witchcraft. For example: today in a white supremacist community they have the ideology that if you are not white, then you are not good enough; this is referring that people who are not white cannot be
Hale has a lot of wisdom to share with Salem. " Man, remember, until an hour before the devil fell, God thought him beautiful in heaven," (p. 71); ".private vengeance is working through testimony," (p. 114). John Proctor is a strong and courageous character who will not give in easily to his accusers. In the end of The Crucible he denies the charges of witchcraft.
...tension was picked up by Proctor sooner than most realized that Hale in fact did not believe what he was saying about the court. This aided proctor in doing what he knew was right. It was certainly not the main factor in Proctor’s quest for the defeat of the courts, but it undoubtedly contributed to his reasoning. Hale’s tensions also made Parris, Danforth, and the rest of the folks down at the old courthouse very nervous, which made them encourage the witch hunts even more, pressing the girls for more accusations.
As Reverend John Hale is not a resident of Salem, he approaches the accusations and rumors without any prior opinion. Hale is introduced as extremely arrogant and proud with his goal being “light, goodness and its preservation”(Miller 34). This phrasing strengthens his role as a man of God, but this is not actually displayed in his personality until later. He is very book smart and this leads to some signs of immaturity. This is shown in Act I when Parris questions why the devil would come to Salem. “Why would he [the devil] choose this house to strike?”(39) In response Hale says, “It is the best the Devil wants, and who is better than the minister?”(39) This shows he enjoys the position better than he does its purpose. He is also very eager.
Reverend Hale is believed to be a witch hunter of sorts. He believes himself to be a specialist and othe...
Reverend John Hale was summoned by Reverend Parris, the minister of the church, who believes witchcraft has taken over salem. He was called to Salem because he was an expert and a believer of witchcraft. When he first arrives in Salem, his first destination was the Parris home. He arrives with a heavy load of books ready to interview the household about the afflicted child who has fallen into a deep sleep. He starts to observe the sleeping child who has been paralyzed in a deep sleep. While examining her he firmy says, “Have no fear now, we shall find him out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face” ( Miller 1149). He truly believes that the devil is with them in Salem. This quote shows that he is there to stay until the devil himself is brought out to justice. He will not leave until all is revealed. Abigail williams, the afflicted childs cousin, is next to being questioned b...
The test that Reverend John Hale faces is whether he can change his character early enough to redeem himself for the lives he has caused to be lost. He is the character that shows the most significant transformation overall. When he first comes to Salem, he is eager to find witchcraft and is honored that his scholastic skills are necessary. He feels that as an exorcist, it is his duty to help pe...
Arthur Miller weaves many events into the story that contribute to the alteration in Hale’s mindset. In the middle of Act 1, Hale arrives and is perceived by the town as “The truth seeker”. Hale is called upon to determine what sort of witchcraft, if any, is occurring (Page 33-35). Hale arrives admired by the people, who all want him to claim it was witchcraft that has occurred. Although unsure, he understands he is being led toward the conclusion of witchcraft by the town’s false pretences and mass hysteria.
Statements from Hale show that he has realized the error of his ways. He decides to “shut [his] conscience no more” (223) and quits the court. Hale can no longer suppress his beliefs about the court and in effect, like Pontius Palter, absolves himself from the court. Next, Hale’s Words are used to show the immense amount of guilt that rests on his shoulder. Hale walks the prisons of Salem and, in knowing that “there is blood on [his] head” (234), “counsels Christians they should belie themselves” (234) even though he is also belying his reputation as reverend by doing this.
When Hale came to Salem, his heavy books gave him confidence.”They must be; they are weighted with authority” (Miller, 1279). By Act II, he begins to change in his belief, that what he has brought to
Hale is an intellectual man who takes pride in his ability to detect witchcraft. He was called to Salem to analyze their situation. "This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt the pride of one specialist whose unique knowledge has at least been publically called for."
Reverend John Hale is motivated by honor and righteousness, but at the same time by reputation and pride. He is certain about the witchery in Salem and while having doubts refuses to speak up. Hale before the executions start to get out of hand is all for the witchery theory and absolutely believes that the girls are telling the truth. Hale’s wavers on the witchery theory after his talk with John Proctor. Hale realizing his error decides to say nothing out of pride and worry for his credibility. In essence he starts to question his own certainty about the situation. Hale’s motivation slowly changes as the executions continue. Hale’s motivation changes from pride and reputation to honor and righteousness. This is especially evident when he quits and breaks all affiliation with the court. He
They had no trouble believing that, because Parris had called Reverend Hale, (known for his studies in demonic arts), there must truly be witchcraft within the town. The play progresses and certain characters begin to develop; here is a community full of underlying personal grudges. Religion pervades every aspect of life. ' A man may think that God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now.
...ligion is faltered at one point it could point to the Devils work in Salem. Reverend Hale shows religious fervor by showing that no matter what if there is a crack in a religion it should not go unseen. In The Crucible, Reverend Hale best exhibits religious fervor.
Reverend Hale questions his faith about the validity of witchcraft as well as his knowledge regarding
When Hale first arrives in Salem, he is utterly committed to God and his beliefs. He sees the Christian religion as “a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small” (67). With this metaphor of Christianity and theology, Miller shows how deeply Hale values his beliefs, and how he views any wavering “cracks in the fortress” as a renunciation of God. His faith caused him to disregard even reason and logic in his thinking. When the court accuses Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft, Hale had little doubt in the validity of it, saying “If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning” (71). Miller uses this hasty generalization to demonstrate how strongly Hale believes in the courts and in God’s power to bring justice. Hale, upon hearing that the courts accused Rebecca of witchcraft, uses this example of a moral citizen to deem that anyone can come under the power of the devil. By doing so, Hale ignores that fact that Rebecca, like so many of the others accused, has been a pillar of the Salem community for many years and is known to be a moral person. However, as the courts accuse more and more citizens of Salem, these ridiculous accusations cause Hale to waver in his beliefs, which tests his faith in the power of God and all that is good. As John Proctor prepares for his