Crucible Essay #1

Dora Ocampo
AP English 11 – Mr. George
November 25, 2008
Crucible Essay 1

Who is most to blame? Abigail Williams? John Proctor? Tituba? Reverend Hale sounds correct. The town that once was spiritual in every sense of the word was being transformed into a secular, Devil praising community, all thanks to the actions of Reverend Hale of Beverly. Through his pride, selfishness, and refusal to be unheard, Reverend Hale instills the mere idea of witchcraft into the minds of Salem’s citizens.
The importance of reputation was seen as the theme throughout The Crucible and it was also expressed by many characters in the play. Early in the play, Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam, and others began to confide in Reverend Hale before ever meeting him. These Salem citizens placed their trust in Hale for the sole fact that he found a witch previously in Beverly. It was Hale’s selfish decision to place his reputation above the truth. He felt that if expectations were not met, he would come off as false and inexperienced. Hale’s abrupt interest in reputation and its importance is what made Hale such a proud man.
Reverend Hale was eager to do the job for Parris, not because he loved his job but because Hale finally felt wanted: “he [Hale] felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for” (33). Being called by Parris also made him happy because that meant that others thought that he was capable of finding an answer to the chaos occurring in Salem. From that point on, Hale felt as if he had a duty to fulfill, which is why Hale liked to be heard and acknowledged.
This is where Hale’s obsession with reputation and pride connect together. His reputation and pride made Hale feel omnipotent and infallible. Everything got to his head and now he thinks that it is necessary and wise for others to believe his predictions: “I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me” (38). Hale wanted to be heard rather than be right. Also, this ties in with Hale’s selfishness. Hale wants to be responsible for the successful discovery of witches in Salem and this discovery would be unsuccessful without the un-defying support of Salem’s citizens.
In Hale’s first appearance in Act Two, there is something different about him: “there is a quality of deference, even of guilt, about his manner now” (62). This is Hale’s turning point in the play where he develops a new sense of guilt, something that was previously not seen. This guilt is beginning to overwhelm Hale, causing a change of heart and a change of outlook on the situation as a whole. But why is he really starting to feel guilty?
John Proctor has been confronted with an ultimatum: he either confesses to a lie and lives or remains true to himself and dies a noble death. Hale’s sudden and unexpected feelings of guilt tell him to justify all of his prior actions by attempting to convince Proctor to lie. This is where the question arises again. Why? Hale is trying to convince Proctor and many others to confess to a lie, not so that they may live, but so that he may feel relieved of the guilt that remains inside of him: “I dare not take a life without there be proof so immaculate” (99). Here, Hale is admitting to the fact that he did sentence many others without proof of witchery. And yes, it is true that Proctor had a change of heart, but he was not thinking of others, simply of himself.
If there is one thing throughout the play that has remained consistent about Hale, it is his selfishness. Whether it was with his immense pride or his idea that a well developed reputation is imperative, Hale’s self centered characteristic is what makes him most to blame.