Character Analysis

Stephen Simmons
AP English Mr. George
12/17/09
Character Analysis: Hale

Reverend Hale was a demon-seeking man of God, who’s alteration caused him to not only determine the townspeople’s lives, but save them as well.
Hale’s first initiative in Salem was to seek out the devil in Betty Parris, and bring some sense to the people living there. “I’ve heard you to be a sensible man, Mr. Hale. I hope you’ll leave some of it in Salem”(37). There is quite a burden held on Hales shoulders as a man of great knowledge in witchcraft and demonic occurrences . One would think that such a man, during this time period, would be very intelligent and logical. However, this was not the case. Hale initially sided with Danforth and the court system in their attempt to maintain authority and balance in the town through the creation of the witch hunt. When realizing the insanity held within these trials, Hale began to side with God and attempt to save the innocent civilions of Salem like Proctor, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. “Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God”(125). Once realizing that his goal was to find the devil, and not watch the innocent lives of the towns people be taken by Danforth, Hale began to help others, as opposed to accusing them. Perhaps, in realizing that all of his might could not physically save the people’s lives, Hale attempted to save their lives by bringing them closer to God and assuring their arrival in heaven.
Hale is like the many Americans who strive for the American dream. Many Americans who strive for the American dream do not achieve it or anything close to it. We all want to buy gigantic homes, million dollar cars, and have ten girlfriends, but none of these things ever find their way towards us. In fact, they drift away from us and cause us to plan new futures and lives for ourselves. Hale wanted to bring sense to Salem and find the devil in Betty. However, the circumstances of the witch trials in Salem forced him to adapt to the situation and go about life a new way.
Hale is like George W. Bush who entered office with insightful and inspirational ideas, and left with completely different ones.

The Crucible 128-End

Stephen Simmons
Ap English 11/Mr. George
12/14/09
The Crucible

"Let you fear nothing! Another judgment waits us all"(144).

Although the true context of this line is in regards to getting a second chance at living or being tried by the court, I like to think of it in regards to being judged by God. Religion and God play very important roles in this novel, but not as imortant as they should. For someone like Proctor and Giles, who have been executed and await execution, a fair trial has been taken away from them. By saying "another judgment awaits us all," Rebecca could possibly be referring to the decision between God and one's self regarding whether or not one should be sent to heaven or hell. The true goal of life for Proctor , being a religious person, is to not lie, but leave life a holy, moral person, who will one day be given a fair trial.

"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!"(145).

Could this actually be the act of revenge? We have observed many characters and their different natures throughout the novel, but one strikes me as just plain old wierd. Although loving your husband is no crime, and constantly vexing him about the affair he had with Abigale is acceptable because no man should cheat on his wife, it seems that Elizabeth has been too good to Proctor, despite all of their "disagreements." It alsmost seems as if Elizabeth was trying win Proctor over by pleeding for his life and speaking in favor of Proctor, in order to remain under the radar. Perhaps Elizabeth eventually agrees to let Proctor be executed to get back at him for something he had done such as cheating, and brining a bad name to their family. After all, pretty much everyone with high authority in Salem does not favor Proctor over others.

The Crucible 113-127

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
12/13/09
The Crucible

"Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God"(125).

This reminds me of the first time we are introduced to Hale, and Proctor says, "I've heard you to be a sensible man...I hope you'll leave some of it in Salem," to Hale. Perhaps Hale's divine purpose wasn't to work with the court and seek out all of the witches and devils, but to save the people allow them to really see God for the first time. His initial task was to determine if Betty was possessed, but as the novel progressed, he has become more of a savior in the sense that he cares for the live of the people and is doing everything in his power to save them, even if it means going against the court. Hale is like Jesus, showing the people a way to God. Furthermore, not only does Hale attempt to save the lives of people he knows are innocent, he does what Parris couldn't do: bring God to the people and assure the citizens a sense of satisfaction and hope.

"There will be no postponement"(127).

Wow, Danforth is really determined to hang innocent people. Although it may seem otherwise, Danforth's motives for executing people is not mere satisfaction, but the preservation of his authority. During this trial and the witch-hunt, Danforth's power and authority have increased and room for error has been diminished. Considering the fact that Danforth already sent many people to hang and accused others of witchcraft, he must be correct in his accusations or that could be the end of him. His reasons for executing innocent people is to remain in power and control the town. However, he has dug himself a deep grave that he will not be able to get out of, because the execution of Proctor and other innocent people will create turmoil in Salem, and bring about the one thing that he fears at this point in time, rebellion. By exterminating those who know his flaws, he becomes more invincible and more powerful, however, "What comes up(his power), must come down."

The Crucible 98-113

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/ Mr. George
12/10/09
The Crucible

"A man will not cast away his good name"(110).

This is what I love about Proctor. Despite all of the evil events that have happened to Proctor thus far, he still acts like nothing is going on. Proctor is the type of man to follow through with his beliefs until the point of death. Although there is a lack of religious practice in his life, Proctor can be associated with Jesus or historical martyrs. Proctor knows that his wife and other's wives are innocent, and he has taken it into his responsibility to dispel all accusations against them. When God's icy wind blows, Proctor stands his ground, and is beginning to slowly lose feeling in his body. Being significantly more intelligent than other people in society, he knows how his story is going to end, as well as his wife's. This reminds me of sports games, where one team might be losing by a lot, and although they are being destroyed, they still put all of their energy in the game, to leave with a bang and be remembered as fighters, and not spectators. The end is obviously near for Proctor.

"Mr. Parris, I bid you be silent!"(101).

Finally someone told Parris to shut up. There is not one character in the novel thus far, who has pointed more fingers and accused more people of conspiring with the devil than Parris. Ironically, the head of the court is the one who ordered him to silence himself. In Salem, the church and court are of the highest authority, and resemble a similar figure of who we know today to be the President. Although both institutions hold much power, Danforth and the court still desire more power than what is necessary. Danforth still desires to be the person with the most input on everything. Earlier in the novel he was speaking about the absence of religion and how it would be fearful if religion was expelled. Now he is the one dispelling religion and punishing those who do not practice it.

The Crucible 81-98

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
12/9/09
The Crucible

"But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no rode between"(94).

Danforth is too focused on the end-goal of this trial and the concluding status of the court system, as well as the church. He went into this trial harboring the most power and say in the final decision, after all he is the judge. However, although he went in strong, he desires to come out even stronger. His job as the judge is to set an example for those who are dumb enough to follow him, and to play the part of an all knowing, all powerful being. Dictating life and death is one method in achieving this. By demanding that people pick sides, he is not only showcasing his power and authority, but attempting to weed out those who realize what is really going on, and execute them before people come to their senses. By forcing people to chose the court or indifferent beliefs, good or evil, Christ and the devil, Danforth is playing the opposing citizens like chess pieces. Knowing that people like Proctor will not side with him, he is able to erase their existence from humanity, before they begin preaching their own gospel and ideals.

"No uncorrupted man may fear this court, Mr. Hale!"(98).

For the first time Danforth expresses the logical half of his brain. No man in the world now, let alone during that time period in the most superstitious place in Massachusetts, is as clean as a whistle. In other words, everyone is corrupt and flawed. This statement is logical because the concept of fear is what fuels the events in this novel. What fear seems to circumnavigate around is the trial. Those going into the trial, use their fear to their advantage. In war or sports games, we often find ourselves using our anxiety or fear as a little "pick me up" or adrenaline boost. Proctor and Giles, both fear death, as any normal human would, but they use it to their advantage, and to face the one controlling institution that nobody else can, the court. Danforth also uses fear in combination with his desire to control society. In the trial the fear of losing his position is overwhelming and so he uses it as an intimidation factor by sentencing people, as well as hanging them.

P&P Essay

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
12/6/09
Rough draft
Cause vs. Effect
A first impression is the initial conclusion that is drawn about someone after meeting them for the first time. First impressions have a great deal of importance in the society we live in, as well as the society reflected upon by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. Often, in a relationship, one uses their judgment and the first impression they form to decide whether or not they will continue seeing the other person. The book Pride and Prejudice is one that beholds a multitude of prejudice between the characters promoted because of their first impressions. Although it seems rather reasonable, judging someone based on a single meeting or conversation is immoral and inaccurate, as we learn in the novel. Often, those who are quick to judge are quick to fall, just like Elizabeth, whose false assumptions lead to heartbreak and disappointment. However, not everyone is quick to judge, and those who would rather spend more time with someone to get to know them will be less disappointed and will find their analysis more accurate. Unfortunately, society during those times was very uneventful and people did what they do best: judge, flirt, and hope for a happy ending. The novel’s original title was, in fact, First Impressions. First Impressions is a better title for Pride and Prejudice because, though pride and prejudice play a major role in the text, first impressions play a far more integral role as the connecting force between characters and the cause of feelings such as pride and prejudice.
There are multiple instances in the novel where someone’s first impressions of another blinded them from that person’s true character. When Mr. Darcy is first introduced into the novel at the ball at Meryton the ladies in the room are very astonished. He is handsome, wealthy, and well presented. However, there was also a negative air about Mr. Darcy—his pride: "The ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud"(Austen 6). The majority of women felt mutual feelings about Mr. Darcy, but did not take the time to meet him. As one learns later in the novel, Mr. Darcy is far from proud. He is a caring individual whose high stance in the class system plays him like a puppet. While he desires to be with Elizabeth, he is forced to abide by the customs of the higher classes. The majority of Darcy’s acquaintances judge him, but not to the extremity of Elizabeth.
Without meeting and acquainting herself with him, Elizabeth labels Darcy as a rude, wealthy and proud figure. Although some of his first words read in the novel were very disrespectful, people often say things that they do not mean or do so to fit in with their peers. When Darcy says that Elizabeth is, "tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me[Darcy]"(8), he is merely expressing what his position allows him to express. Elizabeth, offended, judges Darcy based on one instance and follows through with her accusations about him until they are disproved later in the novel. Elizabeth rejects Darcy because of her first impression of him, as well as his first impression of her sister.
At the ball at Meryton, Darcy spent the majority of the time observing Elizabeth’s sister, Jane. He concluded that Jane was a very zealous person, but not towards Bingley. "'Her [Jane's] look and manners were open, cheerful and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and I remained convinced from the evening's scrutiny, that though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any particular sentiment'" (151). Knowing his friend very well, Darcy thought that Bingley cared much more for Jane than Jane did for Bingley, and as a result of this, Darcy broke them up because of his initial impression of Jane. Further along in the novel, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. This is a moment in the novel where the true power of first impressions is revealed.
Elizabeth’s initial impressions of Darcy have held strong until this moment, and with great vigor. She still believes that he is too proud, wealthy, and a snob who mistreated a man that she loved very much under false pretenses: Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth refused to let go of her first negative impression of Darcy, and when Darcy proposes to her for the first time, she releases her anger in one heartless rejection: 'Long before it had taken place, my opinion of you was decided. Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham'" (147).Over all of this time, she still holds onto her first impression because she is prejudiced and wants Darcy to fit the classist character that she has molded for him.
Another instance in which Elizabeth’s first impression was false was with Mr. Wickham. When meeting him, she thought that he was a very handsome, well-mannered man. Although this was not entirely false, Elizabeth did not see the true evil behind Wickham. After spending more time with Wickham, Elizabeth grew closer and closer to him to the point of idolizing him: "‘His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same…for I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy’s steward, and of that, I can assure you, he informed me himself’" (72). Here, when Caroline tries to warn Elizabeth against Wickham, Elizabeth snaps at her. Due to her first impression of him, she did not want to believe anything else but what she initially thought about him. Not only that, but she already despises Caroline. When Darcy tried to explain Wickham’s situation, Elizabeth refused to believe it until later on in the text.
An interesting characteristic of Elizabeth and many other people in the novel is that they attempt to construct a mold based on their first impressions of people and strive to make them fit that mold, rejecting anything that disproves it. With Darcy, Elizabeth strived to make him that wealthy snob who she thought that he was in the first place. With Wickham, Elizabeth attempted to make Wickham the handsome and well-mannered person that she had initially met. When Darcy tried to explain that Wickham was not what she had imagined, she refuted him and sided with Wickham. The first impressions people in society have are often false; they promote prejudice and pride and make people do bad things. They are like cookie cutters in the sense that once someone has made their first judgment about someone, they craft that person in their mind into what they had initially thought. Once they make their cut, there is no way to change the shape of the cookie, or in this case, the character of the judged. People who initially think well of others will always try to make themselves believe that those people are good. If they are thought bad, they try to constitute negativity with the other people. First impressions dictate our emotions and cause us to be either rational or irrational.
First Impressions should be the title of the novel because the first impressions of every character create pride and prejudice in the characters, not the other way around. Pride and prejudice are the emotions that arise based on the first impression of someone. Naming the book Pride and Prejudice is much like a book where the characters cause everything called "Effects". Elizabeth’s first impression of Darcy caused her to be prejudiced towards those in the upper class, especially Darcy. In opposition to this, Lady Catherine’s first impression of Elizabeth and her family cause her to be prejudiced towards them and ultimately proud. The first impression is the starting point from whence all else follows. Prejudice and pride spring up from judgment and dictate the mood of the novel.
If Elizabeth never judged Darcy and caused a plethora of turmoil between them, their bond would not be as strong as it was at the end of the novel. After all, people learn best from experience, and without first acquaintances, experience does not exist. In addition to this, everyone has to meet someone for the first time; it would be virtually impossible for someone not too. It is human nature to judge someone the first time we meet them, and based on that judgment we unconsciously decide how we are going to act toward that person. In Elizabeth’s case, she chose to be prejudiced towards Darcy based on what she first thought. Her first impression was the springboard that initiated her relationship with Darcy. Because she thought him proud and conceited for so long, finding out he was not emphasized his true character and deepened her feelings for him. Without the concept of first impressions, the novel would simply be a plain old love story. Everything would be expected and nothing would be original. Because every character has a first impression that they find is false, the story is more intriguing, and essentially, it is what the entire book is about: a first impression of someone you thought acted one way, but in the end, they surprise you.


Works Cited
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. United States: Oxford University, 1990

The Crucible 67-81

" Now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant's vengeance! I'll not give my wife to vengeance!"(77).

Finally, someone's head is screwed on right. I love proctor as a character because he is far more intelligent than the vast majority of people in society. While speaking his mind he is also able to avoid suspicion. The ripping of the warrant is the breaking away from society, which Proctor and others begin doing. Proctor is like Winston from the novel 1984. Like Proctor, Winston was far more intelligent than people like the proletarian or the gullible members of the Salem society, and realized the negative ideals withheld in Big Brother. However, he did not do anything early on to avoid suspicion and lethal accusations. Then, like Winston, Proctor began to act against the system by tearing the warrant for his wife's arrest, thus starting to act instead of go along with the mind poisoning ripples in society. One other thing to note is that many people in the Salem society are like the proletarian, not because Proctor is more intelligent, but because they are so mistreated and uneducated, that the court system and church has been able to dictate their lives, simply by preaching "devil" and "witch." It is because the church and court preach these things and accuse these weak minded people of witchcraft, that they are now the accusers for reasons that they could not explain. People like Hale, and Danforth feed off of the fear those "proletarian" and cause their raw material to go bad. Insanity is something that is induced into someone's mind, like an incurable disease, that can permanently effect the mind of its host.

"Aye, naked! And the wind, God's icy wind, will blow!"(81).

This sounds like some line that would be said in a movie like 300, where the soldiers would feel so exposed because their numbers are exceedingly lower than their opponents. It is almost as if Proctor is warning him army (himself and Marry, if she ever comes around) that a war is about to start and that "God's icy wind" (the enemy; Abigale, Parris, and the court members) will only blow, but twist and turn, spin, thrash and freeze. For such an intense moment is seems as though Proctor is not going in with much. Although in this society a few words is the equivalent to a full modern day investigation and trial, Proctor seems to lack appeal to the church and court because of what he had done and said about each. Unfortunately, a war can only be won by one side. I personally think that considering what has happened thus far and the absurdness of the society, that the court will eventually end up destroying Proctor and those associated with him. Justice does not always prevail.

The Crucible 49-67

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
12/7/09
The Crucible

"Goody Osburn-will hang!"(56).

Are they crazy? This attempt to hunt out all of the witches is a genocide of the innocent, suspected people. Failing to recite the commandments is no sign of witchcraft, but that of someone who has a hard time memorizing things. There are few people who can recite the commandments without extensive studying, especially under pressure. The court, let alone the church does not have the right execute a member of society because she could not recite the commandments, I know I can't. The authority of the court and church seems to be too extensive for society. Perhaps, the finger is being pointed at the wrong people. Instead of accusing women of witchcraft because they do not always speak the dialect of their religion, perhaps, those who are responsible for preaching religion and maintaining peace in society should be the accused. There is clearly no balance or mercy in society. It is like when you pick up a rotten banana. Instead of putting it to good use and making banana bread, you simply throw it away because it wasn't good enough for you, when in reality, you were not good enough to it.

"I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hand upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I'll not conceal it"(65).

Proctor clearly has an issue with authority in the court and church. However, he does not dislike religion, just the one who preaches it. "I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation"(28), Proctor said. There are obviously some negative feelings brewing between these two characters, Parris and Proctor, which could evolve into something greater. Considering the time period and the absurd witch hunt, as well as the vendettas held by each character against one another, it will be interesting to see who will emerge victorious, Parris or Proctor. In such a small society, there is no space for hate between citizens, just common agreement, as well as the determination to exterminate those who are "witches."

The Crucible 31-49

Stephen Simmons
Ap English 11/Mr. George
12/3/09
The Crucible

"How can it be the Devil? Why would he choose my house to strike? We have all manner of licentious people in the village!"(41).

Calm down, the only devilish happening is your stupidity. Due to the fact that Betty basically went brain dead for a little while, the Devil must be involved. In our modern day society science and religion fail to co exist and when and occurrence like this happens, science seems to explain it the most accurately. Usually if someone basically turns into a zombie-like figure, it is because their body is not functioning properly due to some internal failure or an external cause that does not involve any religious matter. We see that people living in that society are so blinded by superstition and theories, that they try to find answers that would satisfy themselves. People in the society are like little children who always get what they want. They adapt themselves to only hear what they want and what is in the best interest of them and disregard everything else. Furthermore, society is corrupt during this time because it lacks education and intelligence. Instead of testing for brain damage, for example, they use tests to see if someone is possessed or a witch. These people are crazy, only because that is the only thing they have been accustomed to.

"I saw Goody Booth with the Devil"(48).

Everyone in the world has blamed someone else for something that they did in order to avoid suspicion of them or the truth. The most common example among children is when some kid farts and blames it on the kid next to him in order to feel less embarrassed and more confident in themselves. This is exactly what Abigail is doing, she is trying to avert suspicion away from herself by blaming others for witchcraft and being with the Devil. Although this is completely childish, there is some intelligence that goes along with it. Knowing how insane the society is, Abigail intentionally drives away suspicions about herself by blaming someone else which as we know today, usually works. She knew that once she mentioned the Devil or witchcraft that peoples eyes would be off her and put on Goody Booth. Is this foreshadowing that Abigail might be a witch because she is smarter than everyone else and is already suspected of witchcraft? No, this just simply means that she is ahead of everyone else in society and will be able to manipulate society.

The Crucible 8-30

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
12/3/09
The Crucible

"I have trouble enough without i come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation...there are many others who stay away from the church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more"(28-29).

One of the main issues in the superstitious society is that Religion, being the controlling force in the town, is failing to prosper. What we experience today when we go to church is significantly different to what one in that time period might have experienced when going to church in their town. Instead of preaching the words of the lord as well as words of peace and equality, messages of death, betrayal and Satan are being preached and lodged into the corrupt minds of the spectators and encouraging them to do the same. Yes, many people have different ways of expressing their religion and different beliefs, and there is nothing wrong with that. The issue lies not in what is being preached, but how that preaching will directly effect the minds of the people. Considering the superstitious society that the people lived in the reverends teachings only blind the people making them unable to distinguish devil from human or a which from their own children.

"These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us"(20).

We are all exposed to sin at least once in our lives, and to absolve us of our sins we go to confession and we go to church and as Jesus to forgive us. However, back then there was no method of absolving someone of their sins, so instead they just built up internally and externally, and you were punished for sinning. If there weren't people to search for your sins or abnormalities, then no one would notice. In this society, there was nothing else to do but to hunt down those who were morally wrong and torment them. This concepts of seeking out and punishing the wrong doer arises the idea of hypocrisy. If everyone sins in the world, which is a true statement, and we all punished those who sinned, then what we are really doing is punishing ourselves. In the society in the novel, if someone was punished for sinning or being accused of witchcraft, then they would really be punishing themselves because they failed to recognize their own faults, which presents a major defect in society as well as everyone living in it.