The Crucible is the story of human
beings from every point on the human spectrum. Each of the three characters you mention
is on a different spiritual journey, and the primary characteristics of each reflect
that.
Abigail is self-absorbed and unrepentant about the
trouble/damage she's caused. She has, according to Miller, "an endless capacity for
dissembling," and she lies with regularity and conviction. Her lies are motivated by
selfishness and they cause great destruction--something she wants to escape only because
it might cost her something to stay.
John Proctor is a
sinner who is perfectly aware of the blackness of his soul. He is strong and
straightforward, supportive of the church but not of hypocrisy. When faced with a
choice to, in his own mind, "sin" again, John chooses to die instead, having made peace
with God before he does.
Rev. Hale is a man of God who
seeks only to serve Him the best way he knows how. He is a crusader for right, and his
only swerving is to encourage Proctor to lie to save his life--understanding what that
means but thinking God would forgive a lie in the face of a worse lie. He is just and
passionate and fervent in his faith. He eventually loses faith in man (the court) but
not in God.
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