Reverend Hale's Catharsis in the Crucible

“The sun will rise…” (pg 233). The rising of the sun is symbolic for a new beginning or enlightenment. This statement foretells of the enlightenment and transformation Reverend Hale undergoes throughout the course of the play. Depicted at first as a strong intellect, one can see that he undergoes a catharsis due to his compassionate and benevolent nature seen towards the end of the play.

When Reverend Hale is first introduced to the play, he is portrayed as a knowledgeable and educated character with a strong sense of will and arrogance due to his smarts. This arrogance not only makes him very boastful, it also causes him to have no compassion or patience for others. This pompous attitude is clearly seen when he speaks of the weight of his books stating, “They must be; they are weighted with authority” (pg. 184). Not only is he boasting about the weight of his books, indicating that he is very intellectual, he uses the word “authority” to further imply and boast about his smarts. Hale’s superciliousness is also clearly seen when he talks of himself saying, “I am John Hale, minister of Beverly…(pg 186) and “I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof…” (pg 215). In both these quotes, Hale speaks of himself in a very highly manner, as if he is implying that he is better than everyone else. Also, in both quotes he refers himself as a church member. Members of the church are supposed to be the most patient and the most kindly of all people which is why he is very egotistical.

Furthermore, Hale also has a lack of compassion and patience for other people. For example, Hale’s lack of altruism and lack of commiseration is seen when he confronts Tituba in Act I where he states, “Why are you concealing? Have you sold yourself to Lucifer?” (pg. 187). This accusation he imposes on Tituba is not only an example of a lack of tolerance, it is an insult. Hale’s insult surfaces here due to his lack of compassion and sympathy for others-he doesn’t care if he hurts someone by insulting them just as long as he appears to be intellectual and strong-willed. Reverend Hale’s lack of compassion for others is also seen during