the Crucible, paradox

A paradox is something that appears to be one way but is the opposite way. Authors often use paradoxes in their works to make them more interesting. In the play The Crucible Arthur Miller presents the audience with a paradox in so much as the character of Reverend Hale, who lives, is presented as being more tragic than the character of John Proctor, who dies. At the beginning Hale is held in high regard, while …

…up for what he believes in. In the beginning Hale is well liked, Proctor is not. Hale runs away from the truth, Proctor does not. Hale abandons all he believes in, Proctor does not. The play is a paradox in which Proctor appears more tragic but in fact Hale is the more tragic of the two. This play demonstrates that tragedy may not always be synonymous with death. Tragedy can be paradoxically synonymous with life.