An important theme is an individual's achievement of self-knowledge as a result of undergoing an ordeal. As Rev. Hale sits through the proceedings of the court in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, his views change drastically.         When Rev. Hale first arrives in Salem, he is very objective about the whole situation of witchery. He questions Tituba and Abigail about all the events that occurred in the forest such as the girls' dancing and …showed first 75 words of 398 total…

…showed last 75 words of 398 total…lives.         The documentation above shows that Hale's beliefs changed dramatically as a result of the injustices of the court. He became a man of reason who experienced a growth in knowledge and had the courage to stand up for what he believed in, even though his individualistic view opposed the teachings of Puritan society. Unfortunately, his courage could not save John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, or the countless others who were unjustly tried, tortured, and hanged.