An Individuals Achievement Of Self-knowledge :: essays research papers

An Individuals Achievement of Self-KnowledgeAn important theme is an individuals achievement of self-knowledge as aresult of undergoing an ordeal. As Rev. press sits through the proceedings of thecourt in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, his views change drastically.When Rev. Hale first arrives in Salem, he is very objective astir(predicate) thewhole situation of witchery. He questions Tituba and Abigail about all theevents that occurred in the forest such(prenominal) as the girls dancing and the frog inthe kettle. He firmly entrusts that witchery was involved in causing theunresponsive condition of Betty Parris. He coaxes a confession from Tituba whonames others supposedly involved in consorting with the Devil. He stronglyencourages the authority of the Church to seek out and confidence trick any unknownenemies of the Church. The Salem witchcraft trials began as a result. At first, totally the poor and lower classes were accused, but soon respectable members ofthe commun ity such as Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor were charged. Halespersonal feelings tell him that they are innocent, but his Puritan backgroundprevents him from questioning the authority of the court.As the play progresses, Hale begins to emasculate his views about the trials.He suggests that John Proctor should have a lawyer, but this request is deniedby Danforth. He claims that a lawyer is not necessary because only the demonand the witness are important. Actually, he is conveying that the court alonewill decide on the witness probity based on his own words. Hale realizes thatJohn Proctor is an honest man when he would willingly ruin his own reputationin the hopes of exposing Abigail as a whore. He absolutely cannot be hypocrisyve thatthe court wont accept his testimony as the truth. Hale thinks that the childrenare irresponsible fakers. He denounces the entire proceeding and leaves.Ironically, Rev. Hale returns to Salem to encourage the accused to lie in