The Crucible #2

Quote

"They must be; they are weighted with authority" (Austen 36).

Response

Reverend Hale shares some of the same qualities as Darcy. Some of the things he says make no sense although he is a very intelligent man. We see much of this out of Mr. Darcy; he gives short responses with no explanation that are somewhat comedic. Mr. Hale is seemingly arrogant although he is considered the best qualified to help Betty, this is another quality he shares with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Hale does want to help but he only antagonizes Betty and Abigail to make accusations against random people in order to save themselves.

Quote

"I saw George Jacobs with the devil! I saw Goody Howe with the devil!" (48).

Response

It is somewhat pathetic that Abby and Betty would go so low as to incriminate innocent people in order to save themselves. It is even more pathetic that Parris and Hale believe the incredibly stupid girls. People like Hale and Parris are the reason why the Salem Witch Trials were started in the first place. It is true that Abby and Betty were wrong in doing what they did, but it is even more tragic that gullible reverends like Hale and Parris believed these ludicrous accusations.