In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Danforth’s rigid beliefs in the proceeding trials highlights Hale’s conflict to reach eventual altruism.
Foils
Hale starts off being confident and certain in his work and what he teaches people. He follows the Bible completely and is sure that his life’s work is to identify and bring to trial witches. He forces Tituba into confessing she’s a witch and accuses many others. However, as Proctor makes Hale question the integrity of Abigail and the girls,
HALE: …I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it (92).
Hale starts to doubt in his abilities and everything he knows to be true. At the end, he comes to the conclusion that living is more important that anything, so he has to save the condemned by convincing them to lie about partaking in witchcraft.
HALE: You know, do you not, that I have no connection with the court…I would save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer (122).
Hale goes from emphatically convicting those of witchcraft due to naivety to wanting to prevent those accused from being hung. After Hale thinks over the trials, he realizes and doubts the righteousness of the court. It leads to him losing confidence in the fact that he is doing good work. He then counsels those condemned to lie in order to save lives. He loses faith that the law and those in charge are doing things for the good of the people. Having changed his mind, he tries to be altruistic, going against his religious beliefs in order to save the condemned.
“Blindfold Justice” by Shutterstock on Pixabay
In the trial, Danforth considers himself to be the righteous and neutral. However, due to his belief that he is not biased, he fails to see both perspectives as he is not open minded. As Hale doubts the validity of the trials, Danforth refuses to listen to his worries, thinking that he is right.
HALE: …and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it.
DANFORTH: Mr. Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice.
Danforth’s rigid belief in the girls makes it all the more obvious of Hale’s change from overconfidence to being humbled. Danforth thinks of himself as fair-minded and refuses to fathom that the court is unjust. This results in him taking on an authoritarian role who can’t see the other perspective due to his own beliefs that the court is altruistic and has the people’s best interest at heart. Meanwhile, Hale has opened up from being confident in his abilities, to going against his own beliefs that he is correct in order to save people.
In the show The Politician, River helps Payton to realize his own altruistic nature by helping him find strength in vulnerability/wanting to help people. Although Payton is a political man, manipulating and deceiving to get what he wants, his motivations are altruistic. He manipulates in order to be able to do what is best for the people.
Citation
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play In Four Acts. New York : Penguin Books, 1976. Print.
Hi Paula, your blog reminds me that most of the people think that court is a place that full of righteousness and justice but actually nothing is always right. That’s why human are not perfect because we are not 100% correct all the time, even the adults can be wrong sometimes, even they have many experiences, they can be wrong.
Hey Paula,
The comparison you made between Danforth and Hale regarding to how one serves an authoritarian role while the other is opened to multiple perspectives struck me on how two characters with opposing traits are able to bring out so much of one another’s values and reveal what each character truly cares about. Danforth’s narrow-mindedness and complacency shone light on Hale’s transition from a self-assured man to one who accepted his own naivety, allowing us to see what truly matters to each character: pride versus equity. While I believe both characters seeks justice and the truth of the matter, Danforth cared about his pride and image as the judge who is never wrong, causing him to steer away from the pure intention on pursuing the truth. Meanwhile, Hale was able to throw away his complacency and open up to different possibilities, showing that justice and equity are the utmost importance to Hale. Do you think Hale’s transition from someone who is self-assured to a humble individual served as the major differentiation between Danforth and himself? Or would you say that it was Danforth’s authoritative trait that highlighted Hale’s humbleness? I would say that Hale’s transition revealed his righteous nature, in turn highlighting Danforth’s unswayed belief in himself. Looking into foils may seem like looking at two character without any connection between their traits but it amazed me how contrasting characters can reveal so much about one another, allowing us to reflect on who each character truly is and the values within them.