The Crucible has an interesting character, Hale. He changes drastically throughout the whole play. Hale was at first superior to others because of his worldly knowledge. Salem changed in a way that changed Hale’s character. Hale changed because of accusations of witchcraft, and judges were very oppressive to the townspeople. Reverend John Hale does everything he can to clear up the mess and protect his town from the ‘Devils spell’.
Hale is proud of his knowledge when he says, “Here, all the invisible universe, defined and calculated, has been caught”. The Devil’s brute disguises are stripped off in these books. This statement also shows the Devil’s role in the play. It reveals a man who is confident and intelligent, yet smug. When he signs death warrants and his morals change, his self-confidence will be gone. The oppressive forces of John Proctor, a friend of Danforth’s, and the judge are to blame. Hale’s oppression by the judge is done through a death shroud. According to Academy of Ideas website, “Individuals who are looking to manipulate and take advantage of others have known the power of Fear” (“Fear …”), Hale’s books can be compared with ‘Individuals’ looking to manipulate and take advantage of others. He believes he knows more than the entire town and takes advantage of this. This is how the reader perceives it when the initial accusation occurs. It leads to the planned downfall for the whole town. Tituba. The Devil is a predator on children. God will reward you for your assistance.” Hale was very confident in his knowledge, but soon realized that Abigale had fabricated all the lies.
Hale is beginning to understand the devastation that Abigail started towards the middle. You can also see how Hale has changed his morals by playing along and allowing Abigail to destroy herself. Hale is affected by the stress of oppression and this leads to a dramatic change in his morals. His empathy for townspeople and Proctors shines through in the second- and third-acts. Carol Hay argues that the oppressed person should stand up to their oppressors, as they are acting in an unjust way. This can be compared to the way Hale responds to Abigale’s oppressive force and to the reactions of some townspeople to the oppression. Hale appears at Proctor’s home and says, “God be with you both. Let your third child be baptized as soon as possible. Go you to Sabbath every Sunday, without fail. Keep a solemn quiet manner among you.”. Hale tries to save Elizabeth by insisting that she have all her children baptized. John, however, does not agree to Reverend Parris morals and views. Hay argues that servility involves a public, systematic disavowal of one’s moral standing. Hale’s conformity and adaptation to Salem can be seen by the reader. The reader can also see Hale’s attitude toward some of the townpeople as their true motives are revealed. Hale made a statement at the trial that suggested the girls may have lied. Hale brings it up during the trial, saying “If she’s innocent!” Why don’t you ever wonder about Parris or Abigail being innocent? Is everyone now a saint? Hale questions the girls’ honesty by asking “Were they all born clean this morning?” Hale’s character has changed from a book-smart scholar to a person who is empathetic and tries to protect and save the townpeople and his friend.
Hale’s character has been transformed by the end. In the end, Hale is a changed man. Hale’s statement, “I have come to do Satan’s work,” can be interpreted by the reader. I am here to tell Christians that they must believe for themselves. My head is covered in blood! Do you not see my blood? Hale was a different man by the fourth act. He doesn’t believe anything anymore except that his involvement in the Salem trials condemned and killed innocents. Hale wants to save the innocents by convincing them to confess because he participated in the process which led to their imprisonment. Hale finally realizes he is powerless to stop the judges from hanging those who won’t confess to a crime they didn’t commit. Hale, who has seen first-hand the problems with the judges’ system, believes that King is right when he says that violence is immoral as it is motivated by hatred and not love. Judges would rather use violence and hang people than put them in prison. King’s quote, about how violence and love thrive on immorality, is immediately recognizable to the reader. Hale then continues by telling the judge that he signed 72 death warrants. He is a minister for the Lord and he dares not kill a person without a proof which is so perfect, no doubt in the mind can be raised. Hale expresses his concern to the judge. It is clear that Hale was retaliating against the court for their decision to sentence so many innocents. The reader will also be able to see the oppression that is prevalent throughout the play.
The Crucible provides a large number of examples and reactions to oppression. Reverend John Hale works hard to resolve the conflict in the town and to protect the people. The Crucible conveys a number of messages about the way a crowd reacts when they are oppressed. The religious and/or the political mentality can cause them to act in an unthinking manner. These actions result in the persecution of innocent individuals.
