Hale In the Crucible Conforms Outwardly and Questions...

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an allegory written about the Salem witch trials in 1692. It includes a number of characters who fully conform to the trials and their consequences, it also contains the opposite, those who do not conform and fight it. Of course, as in any story there are characters in the middle that are not sure which side to take. They go along with it, not willing to stand up, but in their minds they are not completely sure whether or not what they’re doing is right. Reverend Hale is the best example of outward conformity and inward questioning. Hale does not start out as such however. In fact he is the reason the witch hunts are started. In the beginning of the play Hale is called to Salem to determine whether or†¦show more content†¦At that moment Francis Nurse comes running in saying that his wife Rebecca has been arrested. This is a shock to Hale, who at that moment realizes that he is no longer in control. His eagerness at being called to Sale m made him fell like his years of training had come to fruition, he was an expert now, called to determine a town’s fate. This little twitch in Hale’s faith sets him into a stage of doubt. He still does not go full-throttle though. He realizes the gravity of fully breaking from the court and consequently God. He defends the court’s decision to the townspeople on page 71: â€Å"†¦though our hearts break, we cannot flinch, these are new times, sir. There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court-the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!† The transformation is not yet complete. He still is openly conforming to the court, still agreeing with their decisions, defending them. But in his mind, he is unsure. He knows that Rebecca Nurse is the most holy, god-fearing individual in the town. Yet he finds himself unable to break away form the courts, they must be right, they are given their power from God. Still haunted by the fact that, â€Å"A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between† (this quote is