While The Crucible has its share of static characters, such as Reverend Parris, it has dynamic ones as well, like Reverend Hale and John Proctor.

	By definition, a static character does not change very much throughout the story. Reverend Parris, being a static character, indeed does not change at all. The quote “There is a faction sworn to drive me from my pulpit…” (Miller 17), is evidence that Parris is a very selfish person, considering at that moment his daughter was ill. His behavior at the end of the story is very similar, as “There is a danger for me, I dare step outside at night!” (Miller 130) explains, and this was said after he pleaded to get the hanging of the accused extended, to save his own skin. Although Reverend Parris is a static character, John Proctor is dynamic.

	“He is a sinner… against his own version of decent conduct.”(Miller 27) John Proctor committed adultery with Abigail Williams. He hated himself for his sin, believed he was evil, and that he was damned thusly. He harbors his self hatred throughout the story, where it eats at him and makes him falter when he is asked to give information about the witch trials. At one point, he might even blame himself for the onset of the trials. He changes, after many tribulations, and Proctor finally finds the strength to confess and forgive himself, which leads to him saying “I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor” (Miller 145). After John Proctor, Reverend Hale is another dynamic, or changing, character.


	When Reverend Hale was first introduced to the story, he was naïve and too trusting. “You [Tituba] have confessed yourself to witchcraft and that speaks a wish to come to Heaven’s side…”(Miller 52) shows Hale’s misplaced trust, as Tituba most certainly isn‘t telling the truth. “We will protect you. The devil can never overcome a minister.” (Miller 52) betrays Hale’s naivety, as we find proof, in the form of Parris’ selfishness and corruption, that what he believed was not true. “I believe him! This girl [Abigail Williams] has always struck me as false! …” (Miller 116) is a testament to one of Hale’s change of thoughts, as he sees the people of Salem more truthfully and does not blindly trust them any more. “I’ve come to do the Devil’s work…” is another change, which reveals that he no longer believes that people are as incorruptible as he once thought.