Discussion Topic

Reverend Hale's Role and Advice in The Crucible

Summary:

In The Crucible, Reverend Hale initially advises the Proctors to baptize their third child and attend church regularly to avoid suspicion. Later, witnessing the injustice in Andover and Salem, Hale changes his stance, advising the condemned to falsely confess to witchcraft to save their lives. He feels guilty for his role in the trials and prioritizes saving lives over adhering to strict moral principles. Hale's advice reflects his realization of the court's corruption and his struggle with guilt.

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In The Crucible, what advice does Hale give the Proctors before leaving their house?

In Act Two, Reverend Hale is traveling to the homes of the accused on his own in search of further evidence of their involvement in witchcraft. When Reverend Hale arrives at Proctor's home, he begins to question him about the number of times he's been absent from church. Hale then asks Proctor why only two of his children have been baptized. Proctor responds by telling him that he doesn't want Parris to touch his child. Reverend Hale then asks Proctor to recite the Ten Commandments, and he remembers all but one commandment. Before Hale leaves for the first time, Proctor tells him that Abigail Williams said that the children's sickness has nothing to do with witchcraft. Hale is astonished and asks Proctor if he will testify in court. Proctor says that he will and then reveals that he questions the existence of witchcraft altogether. Before Hale leaves, he advises that they baptize their third child quickly, attend church every Sunday, and to remain solemn. 

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In The Crucible, what advice does Hale give the Proctors before leaving their house?

Mr. Hale has come to the Proctors' home in order to find out why the couple hasn't been to church very often -- only twenty six times in the last seventeen months -- as well as why their third child has not been baptized.  These are oddities among the well-respected members of the community, and since Elizabeth's name was brought up in court that day, Hale wishes to see what these two are like for himself.  When he leaves, he tells them, "let the third child be quickly baptized, and go you without fail each Sunday in to Sabbath prayer, and keep a solemn, quiet way among you."  He cautions the Proctors to keep their noses clean, to do everything that they are supposed to do, so that they do not arouse further suspicion.  They need to adhere to all the rules and standards of their church so as not to give anyone in the community any reason to accuse them of anything.

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In The Crucible, what is Reverend Hale's role in Andover and his advice to the condemned?

Reverend Hale had been to Andover and witnessed the dissatisfaction of the court by the people who found the accusations of the "witches" there unfounded and unjust.  Reverend Hale has seen the errors of his ways.  He now believes that saving the lives of the condemned is more important than anything, even if one must lie to save one's life.

In Act IV, Scene 2, he says sarcastically to Danforth, (who asks, "Why have you returned here?"), "Why it is simple.  I have come to do the Devil's work.  I come to counsel Christians they belie themselves.  (His sarcasm collapses.) There is blood on my head!  Can you not see the blood on my head?" 

Later, Hale says to Elizabeth:  "Goody Proctor, I have gone this three months like the Lord into the wilderness. I have sought a Christian way, for damnation's doubled on a minister to counsel men to lie."

Hale advises Elizabeth, in light of his new position: "Beware, Goody Proctor -- cleave to no faith when faith brings blood.  It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice... let him give his lie.  Quail not before God's judgment in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away." 

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In The Crucible, what is Reverend Hale's role in Andover and his advice to the condemned?

In Act 4, Danforth asks Hale if he has been preaching over in Andover in the past month because it is rumored there is rebellion in Andover, and Hale has just mentioned rebellion occuring in Salem.  Hale replies that Andover has no need of him. 

Hale has come back to the Salem prison to advise the condemned to 'confess' to witchcraft even though he knows they are not guilty.  He is trying to save their lives.  He feels responsible for their deaths, and is struggling to get them to confess so at least they will live.  Hale knows at this point that the witchcraft trials have been a farce.

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What advice does Reverend Hale give to the condemned in The Crucible?

Reverend Hale is visiting the prison and advising the condemned to confess to witchcraft. He is doing this because he is now convinced, after the testimony against Abigail and the accusation of John Proctor, that the people accused of witchcraft are really innocent.

He also knows that under the rules of the court and the way the trials are being held, that anyone who is accused is found guilty and that there is really no way anyone can defend him or herself. So trying to prove innocence is really not an option.

Therefore, he pleads with the condemned to confess, even though they are innocent. He knows this is the only way they can survive, since confessed witches only serve prison sentences and are not hanged.

I think Hale is trying to assuage his own guilt for the part he played in convicting many of the condemned. He is trying to save their lives as a way of atoning for his initial disbelief of their innocence and for allowing himself to be manipulated by Abigail and the other accusers.

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