The Crucible Group

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lrothman
lrothman
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In "The Crucible", can someone please help me summarize Hale's argument favoring Proctor's confession?

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Posted by lrothman on Tuesday December 16, 2008 at 7:10 PM and tagged with act iv, confession, hale, proctor, the crucible.

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  1. mrs-campbell Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Hale supports Proctor as he confesses two different times.  The first time is his confession to adultery.  When Elizabeth lies about the affair, Danforth immediately jumps to condemn John, but Hale states that of course she lied, "It's a natural lie to tell" and that he believes that private vengeance is working through Abby's testimony.  He concludes by saying, "From the beginning this man has struck me true...I believe him now."

    Later, after John confesses, Danforth wants him to name other people as witches, and John refuses. Hale steps in to defend him:  "It is enough that he confess himself."  They acquiesce in the end, but still want him to post his confession to the church door.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/crucible/act-iii-scene-3-summary-an...
    http://www.enotes.com/crucible/act-iv-scene-3-summary-ana...

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    Posted by mrs-campbell on Tuesday December 16, 2008 at 9:29 PM