There are many different characters in Crucible, and their personalities change as the story progresses. Samuel Parris, Marry Warren, and John Hale all have very different personalities and characteristics in the story. This essay will explain how their characteristic affect to the story and what kind of characters they are based on their quotes.
In this story, Reverend Samuel Parris shows his unconventional morality by saying “I will false you and whip you to death if you don’t confess.” Samuel Parris is primarily concerned with protecting his reputation and maintaining his authority in the community. This is because he is willing to resort to threads and intimidation to maintain control over others, no matter what they do to him. His quote highlights his lack of moral reasoning and his willingness to sacrifice truth for personal gain.
Marry Warren, on the other hand, was representing characters in a conventional stage of moral development when she said, “Everyone cried spirits, spirits!” Marry Warren was portrayed in the story as conflicted between the pressure to conform to society’s expectations and her own sense of right and wrong. She was easily swayed by the mass hysteria and fear in Salem and ultimately became complicit in the witchcraft accusations. This quote illustrates how social norms and external pressures can influence an individual’s behavior, even if they are contrary to the individual’s beliefs.
John Hale is a compassionate and logical character. When she declared “I quit this court,” in the play, she was departing from the conventional view of morality. Hale underwent a moral transformation throughout the story, moving from blind obedience to court rules to questioning the legitimacy of the trial and advocating for justice. Recognizing the flaws in the system, she chooses to act according to her conscience, even if it means going against established authority. This quote implies that Hale is loyal to the principles of fairness and integrity, regardless of the consequences.
In conclusion, The Crucible is not only characters, but also about the complex nature of human nature and the conflict of moral wills. Through the characters Samuel Parris, Marry Warren, and John Hale, the story takes the reader through the different stage of moral development and the impact of society’s expectations on individual behavior. The characters were forced to confront their own beliefs and values as they went through Salem’s trials and tribulations, ultimately leading to deep moral introspections, and the true nature of each character influenced the story.
