Conformity And Reward Conformity In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an allegory written about the Salem witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts during 1692 and 1693. The play includes a number of characters, both those who fully conform to the trials and their consequences, and those who do not conform and decide to fight it. Naturally, all stories have characters that are doubtful of which side to pick. They play along with it, not wanting to take a stand, but in their minds they are not entirely sure whether or not what they’re doing is correct. The best example of this outward conformity and inward questioning is Reverend John Hale, one of The Crucible’s principle characters, a member of the religious court that investigates accusations of witchcraft and tries

In Act III, it becomes very apparent that Hale has problems with the court. As a matter of fact, at the end of Act III, he yells to Lt. Governor Danforth, “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (Miller 1102). He realizes that he has become Dr. Frankenstein to this beast that he has created and wants to either regain control, save the people arrested, or in desperation somehow stop it. At the beginning, Hale still does not openly disagree with the court, yet he does make an effort to defend some of the accused. When Francis Nurse speaks of proof that his wife is innocent, Hale brings the news directly to the head judge, Danforth, insisting that the evidence be heard. He is still not in complete contradiction with the court, still conforming, but he does not believe that these people are guilty. He urges the Lieutenant Governor to postpone the imminent hangings. This is the peak of his balance of outward conformity and inward questioning. Though now it is not inward questioning but inward disgust, and a sense of retribution. This is the difference between Hale and John Proctor. If Hale had the courage of Proctor, the story could have been very different. If he had realized his mistake earlier, he might have been able to change the outcome considerably, possibly stopped the trials completely. However, he waited and didn’t act on his innate sense of goodness. One may argue that Hale’s naïveté clouded his vision, but not only did Hale not act in time, but when he did “act,” he walked away. Put up no fight, but rather, just walked