The Crucible #7

Hale: "Excellency, I have singed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it" (99)

Hale has the right mind in this statement, but it is unfortunate that this court is not run similarly. Although Hale is thought of as the somewhat crazy witch expert, he still goes about his business with a sense of logic and is not so quick to condemn a patient. It is a shame that Hale's thought process is not shared with some of the other people invoved in this case. Hale's logical methods would be believed in a present day courtroom, but everyone is so caught up in listening to Abigail because of her super powers that no one bothers to hear the truth.

Proctor: "A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything" (110)

Unfortunately, God never steps in and says who is telling the truth in this case because then everything would be resolved quickly. However, people like Abigail, recognize God's absence as their chance to lie. In this case, someone like Abigail has taken a position as a god herself because she has the power to say who did what and everyone believes her. Even though Proctor is recognized as the least holy person in Salem, it seems to me that he is one of the only people living God's message. He speaks the truth even though it is sometimes controversial. This is contrasted with Abigail who does whatever is necessary to get herself out of trouble.