Brian Perez September 30, 2011 Period: 5 AP Language and Composition Mr.
Botton Power of Control Men of high stature and prestige with intimidating power have always been in control of many aspects in a society. Deputy Danforth and Reverend Hale were considered to be “godly” men with power and control who followed the scriptures of their God. While attempting to be an example of a holy Christian, they became corrupt in their actions and went against biblical law to enhance their own lives.Deputy Danforth and Reverend Hale begin their oppositions towards one another when Reverend Hale experiences an epiphany of his actions, and Danforth remains condemning innocent people. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses rhetoric strategies to juxtapose Deputy Danforth and Reverend Hale’s contradicting characteristics. Danforth’s determination to the delusive condemnation of the citizens of Salem opposes Reverend Hale’s epiphany to the hangings and murders of the immaculate men and women of Salem.
Deputy Danforth hangs many individuals of Salem as the Witch Trials go on.Danforth denies any wrong in his faults and continues to blame others through his blind obstinacy. Danforth’s obstinacy is demonstrated by way of irony when he states, “I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. […] Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part” (Miller 1324). Ironically, Danforth’s view of postponement and judgment goes against biblical law of “… judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).While Danforth believes that postponement shows weakness in his part and whoever cries for those who are hanged cry for corruption, ironically postponement shows forgiveness and mercy, an important Christian principle that Danforth lacks throughout the play.
Deputy Danforth and Reverend Hale had the same objective – to get rid of the witches in Salem and all extensions of the Devil associated in the town. However, unlike Danforth, Reverend Hale acknowledges his crimes against humanity and experiences an epiphany that changes his perspective of the Salem Witch Trials.At the beginning of the trials, Reverend Hale abandons his beliefs and morals and complies with Danforth in order to keep a good reputation. However, as the trials advance and innocent people are hanged, Hale realizes his atrocious crimes against humanity and experiences an epiphany that leaves him a feeling of guilt as he exclaims to Danforth: “There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!! ” (Miller 1325).
Miller’s use of this metaphor symbolizes the guilt Hale has for all of the death warrants that he has signed to innocent people.Hale is changed by his epiphany and vows to take no more innocent lives: “I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not to take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it” (Miller 1301). Miller’s use of Logos portrays Hale logically coming to a conclusion that the Salem Witch Trials were pointless and that innocent people had died and were going to die due to the trials. Hale’s epiphany of the condemnation within the Salem Witch Trials contradicts the arrogant and narcissistic attributes of Deputy Danforth.
Arthur Miller uses juxtaposition between Deputy Danforth and Reverend Hale to expose the imperfection of man. Miller uses Danforth to symbolize the deficiency of man and how pride can lead to a negative effect on oneself and onto society. Danforth’s ego is too massive for him to admit that he is wrong in killing innocent people. However, Reverend Hale symbolizes how there is hope for man and that humanity can use reason and logic to realize the truth and separate condemnation from realization and forgiveness.Even though Hale’s efforts to convince the people of Salem that there are no witches are in vain, his epiphany “sparked” a new hope for humanity in the past and ultimately in the present.
Outline Thesis: In The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses rhetoric strategies to juxtapose Deputy Danforth and Reverend Hale’s contradicting characteristics. Danforth’s determination to the delusive condemnation of the citizens of Salem opposes Reverend Hale’s epiphany to the hangings and murders of the immaculate men and women of Salem.I. Introduction A. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible B. Introduce Danforth and Hale C.
Thesis Underlined II. Paragraph 1- Deputy Danforth A. Governor Deputy Danforth: obstinacy B. Quote (Miller 1324) C. Irony D. Metaphor E.
Symbolism III. Paragraph 2- Reverend Hale A. Reverend Hale: reason B. Epiphany C. Quote (Miller 1325) D.
Logos E. Quote (Miller 1301). F. Metaphor G. Symbolism IV. Conclusion A.
Juxtaposition B. Symbolism of Danforth to man C. Symbolism of Hale to man D. Include society
