The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, offers a look at the infamous witchcraft hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The play opens after a group of girls was caught dancing in the woods by the town minister, Reverend Parris. When one of the girls is suddenly struck by an unusual illness, the first hypothesis is witchcraft and John Hale is brought here. Hale, an expert in witchcraft, is called to Salem to uncover the evil behind the girl's illness. But the longer he stays in Salem, the more he wonders: Where does the real evil lie in Salem? John Hale is described as a middle-aged man with an abundance of energy, as well as an abundance of arrogance. He is well known in the surrounding area as an expert in witchcraft, and is soon called to Salem by Reverend Parris. Upon first meeting Parris, his haughty behavior is evident in all aspects. For example, as he unpacks his books, he explains their weight by saying, “they are weighted with authority” (p.36). Hale maintains this irritating attitude throughout the first half of the play. This behavior influences his personal decisions as well as the irrational conclusions he draws about his overall purpose in Salem. Hale's decisions throughout The Crucible shape the witch trials in general as well as the ongoing trials in his judgment. His initial decision to come to Salem, in many ways, sparks hysteria. His intent is to “crush him [the Devil] completely if he showed his face” (p.39) and he acts immediately. He decides to fervently interrogate the first accused, in particular Tituba, the Barbadian servant of Reverend Parris. He also has the audacity to question John and Elizabeth Proctor, two of the most revered characters... they represented. His experiences in Salem were life-changing and will not soon be forgotten. Reverend John Hale, the once arrogant and self-centered witch hunter, transforms into a kind-hearted being who will do anything to fight for those around him, all within himself. a few months in Salem. Hale, in many ways, was tortured in the city. The very ideals he was based on have been swept away from him, leading him to discover the real truth and develop a sense of awareness unlike any other character in the play. His experiences lead him to realize where the truth of evil lies within him. He attempts to correct all of his mistakes, and although he is unsuccessful in many of his attempts, he walks away from Salem a better man. It is characters like Hale who make Miller's The Crucible a timeless literary work that teaches some of the greatest moral values of every generation..
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