The Crucible

Write Hale's formal report to the Church about what he found in Salem and include his recommunications.

This is an excellent critical thinking assignment.  As always, Hale would be thinking of the church and his position in it, but throughout the play he becomes increasingly more agitated at the judges and their one-way thinking.  It is obvious to him that the girls are "faking" their testimonies and that good, honest people whom others are jealous of are being targeted for their land, titles, and other possessions.  I feel that his report would be carefully worded, but that he would not allow the truth to go unheard.  He even goes so far as to attempt to convince Elizabeth to get John to sign the paper in order to save his life and go on with it after the "witch hunt" is over and done.  John, however, surprises everyone when he would not sell his soul to the devil so cheaply...he remains honorable and worthy until the end so that he preserves the name he has given his children.

It would seem fitting that his report may include a punishment of sorts for the girls and their families...especially the Putnams who gained quite a lot during the course of the trials.