Dynamic Characters in The Crucible Essay

The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Several girls accuse members of the town of Salem of practicing witchcraft. These accusations lead to what is known as the Salem Witchcraft Trials. In the trials many people are convicted and hanged as a result of the accusations of the girls. In the play there are many dynamic characters. A dynamic character is a character that changes drastically throughout the course of the story. Three characters that change the most throughout the play are Reverend Hale, John Proctor, and Mary Warren

Reverend Hale, a noble, innocent man who holds all knowledge of witchcraft in Salem, goes through a large change throughout the play. Hale is called by Salem's leading minister, Reverend Parris, in order to lift the "demonic possession" of his daughter, Betty Parris. Hale first came to Salem holding confident beliefs regarding the true validity of the Witch Trials. Hale says, They (the books) must be (heavy) they are weighted with authority (34). Hale is called into Salem for his experience in the cleansing of demonic entities. The town thinks that Hale knows everything about spirits. Hale treats Salem with intense boldness and his own superiority to the town put himself at the top of the world in his eyes. Hale progressed from a humble priest who was waiting to get his chance in life to a "pope" that was the existing ruler of all religious doctrine. Since Hale's childhood, he has been accustomed to believe in certain Puritan ideals and finally he realizes the only evil in people is themselves. During the progression of the entire play, the Reverend goes through a transformation because he realizes that those accused of witchcraft are all innocent, hardworking individuals such as him. It is not until the latter part of the play that Reverend Hale's views at last come into focus. Hale pleading with Governor Danforth, "Excellency. I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord and I dare no take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it (92)." Hale believes that the town could accuse somebody of being a witch even with the most insignificant piece of evidence. He realizes that the accused are wrongfully convicted on the basis of obvious lies hidden within made-up testimonies. It was obvious that Hale changes significantly, but in the prison, he told the convicted to save their lives by lying and confessing in court. Hale understands his critical mistake and attempts to fix it by having those who were accused of witchcraft confess and save their lives. In the play Hale changes from an intense witch hunter with huge pride to someone who actually speaks out against what he previously believes

John Proctor, a respected farmer in the town of Salem changes from an extremely self-centered person to a person full of modesty and who is devoted to himself. The reader is told that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams, who is hired by his wife, Elizabeth, to help with the home chores and to simulate a second mother. Abigail progressively got closer to John, and upon discovering this secret love affair; Elizabeth fires Abigail. John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth, keep the affair a secret. This incident does not come up again until the climax of the witchcraft trials. Abigail was entirely absorbed emotionally to Proctor and feels that if Elizabeth is eliminated, then Abigail and Proctor could live together. Proctor realizes his mistake by dealing with Abigail and despite endless attempts to prove his love to Elizabeth, it was never forgotten. John and Elizabeth quarrel quietly about the subject. Proctor vigilantly refuted that it was not his fault. "Spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin'. Learn charity, woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart." (52). Proctor tries to put the blame on Elizabeth because he has already apologized and she will not accept the apology. Abigail then accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft ; in a ploy to get have John Proctor to herself. When Proctor finds out that his wife is accused of witchcraft, he makes a complete turn-around, because he does not know that Abigail accuses her. He finally understands his true love for her and risks his own reputation for hers. He pleads under oath that Elizabeth was being accused so that Abigail could marry him when his wife died. He truly believed that he deserved to be hanged. "I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that wire not rotten long before." (126). Proctor is extremely self-centered in the beginning of the play, yet at the end he has a chance to escape being hanged and gives it up to accept his death. Proctor changes drastically throughout the course of the play and it is this differentiation that allows him to die for what he believes in.

Mary Warren is another character that made a drastic change throughout the course of the play. In the beginning Mary Warren was nave and paranoid only afraid of getting in trouble. Mary Warren says, Whatll we do? The Village is out! I just come from the farm; the whole countrys talkin witchcraft! Theyll be callin us witches..!(17). As the play went on and the girls dug deeper and deeper into the web of lies, Mary Warren began to take a stand against Abigail. She did not want to lie anymore, but it took John Proctor begging and pleading Mary Warren to testify in court against Abigail. She makes a compelling argument in court, but when the remaining girls pretend as if Mary Warrens spirit is attacking them she caves into peer pressure and again sides with Abigail. Mary Warren says, Ill not hang with you! I love God. I love God.(110). In the beginning Mary Warren is nave and immature, but makes a stride to become an adult and take a stand for what is right, but cannot keep it going.

Reverend Hale, John Proctor, and Mary Warren are not the only dynamic characters in the play. The play is filled with characters that change from the beginning to the end. Reverend Hale realized the evils of the witchcraft trials, John Proctor saw the errors of his ways, and Mary Warren admitted to the lie she told with Abigail.