The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, provides insight into the infamous witchcraft hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. The play is opens after a group of girls are caught dancing. in the woods by the town minister, Reverend Parris. When one of the girls is suddenly struck by an unusual illness, the first guess is witchcraft and John Hale is brought in. Hale, a witchcraft expert, is called to Salem to uncover the evil behind the girl's affliction. But the longer he stays in Salem, the more he wonders: Where does the real evil in Salem lie? John Hale is described as a middle-aged man with an abundance of energy, as well as an abundance of arrogance. He is well known in the surrounding area as an expert in witchcraft and is immediately called to Salem by Reverend Parris. Upon first meeting Parris, his haughty behavior is evident in every way. For example, when unpacking his books, he explains their weight by saying: “they are loaded with authority” (p. 36). Hale maintains this irritating attitude throughout the first half of the play. This behavior influences his personal decisions as well as the irrational conclusions drawn about his overall goal in Salem. Hale's decisions throughout The Crucible shape the witch trials in general as well as the ongoing trials in his judgment. His initial decision to come to Salem, in many ways, sparks hysteria. His intention is to “completely crush him [the Devil] if he showed his face” (p. 39) and he immediately takes action. He decides to fervently question the first accused, notably Tituba, the Barbadian servant of Reverend Parris. He even has the audacity to interview John and Elizabeth Proctor, two of the most revered ...... middle of paper ...... he represented. His experiences in Salem were life-changing and will not soon be forgotten. Reverend John Hale, the once arrogant and self-centered witch hunter, transforms into a kind-hearted being who would go to great lengths to fight for those around him, all within. a few months in Salem. Hale, in many ways, was tortured in the city. The very ideals he stood on were ripped from him, leading him to discover the real truth and develop a sense of conscience unlike any other character in the play. His experiences lead him to realize where the truth of evil lies, within himself. He attempts to right all his wrongs, and although many of his attempts fail, he leaves Salem a better man. It is characters like Hale who make Miller's The Crucible a timeless work of literature that teaches some of the greatest moral values ​​of all generations..