John Proctor Second Trial Analysis

Furthermore, Judge Danforth applies the rhetorical appeal of ethos to prove that what he believes is right. By establishing his credibility as a judge and and a person, he hopes to convince the people of Salem to believe in what he is saying. He does so by making references to important religious figures. When Giles Corey refuses to give up the name of his witness, Danforth claims that “the government and central church demand of [Giles] the name of him who reported Mr. Putnam a common murderer” (Miller 97). By stating that both “the government” and the “central church” are demanding that Giles give up the name, Danforth is establishing authority behind what he says. He is utilizing ethos by showing that he is credible because of his connection with the government and the church. As these two establishments held the most power and importance in Puritan society, he significantly validates his points to the people of Salem by relating himself to them. Judge Danforth continues to establish his credibility by referencing a religious figure. He claims that the trial is justified because “the voice of Heaven is

Secondly, Judge Danforth’s irrationality and ignorance brings about poor decisions on his part. One of the instances where Danforth reveals his following attitude is when he denies to even look at a deposition presented by John Proctor as described by his words “ No, no, I accept no depositions” (Miller 88). John Proctor hands him a deposition signed by Mary warren, stating that

“ Fear nothing. I'll find Ezekiel Cheever. I’ll tell him she said it were all sport.” ( Arthur Miller Page 64). Proctor is clueless at the moment he failed to realized that Ezekiel Cheever is very close to Danforth. Judge Danforth is not concerned about justice, all he's focused about is being about the witch trials. Danforth will never have concrete evidence, unreliable witnesses. No opportunity to receive a second trial or even a review of the case. Danforth is ignorant and wants people to be with him or against him. What would this result in John Proctor doing?

John’s tone is cold and filled with hatred when he speaks the quote towards Danforth. Immediately after the quote is, “Crying out, with hatred: I have no tongue for it.” (IV. 141). Proctor is irked that he’s being asked to name and accuse others for alleged witchcraft. He would be sending someone’s life into trouble. No matter how many sins they’ve performed, no one deserves to be hanged for something they didn’t

Cheever: I think it be my duty, sir. Kindly, to Proctor: You’ll not deny it, John. To Danforth: When we come to take his wife, he damned the court and ripped your

By all means he doesn't want people to have doubt on him and himself that he sentence the innocence to death. Moreover, he never lets anything slide from him and tae job as a judge very seriously. For instance, it stated in the novel “Be quiet!... Be quiet!!” (Miller 120) In this quote this display a repetition and that words are being ignored or listened. Which means, that his caring his reputation very deeply by seeing the extra exclamation mark . “Who is this?” (Miller pg 92) In this quote it tells that Danforth does not know people in Salem and insecure about his place as a judge. During this discussion in the court, he feel that abnormal tensions and that someone can or will challenge his

An equitable judge should possess judicial temperament, courage, and integrity to make sure the delivery of an accountable justice process for the people. On the contrary, Danforth is a selfish and arrogant man who only cares about his own interests. His flawed personalities and hypocritical attitudes make him sightless and irrational throughout the witchcraft, which directly causes the calamity in the town. Danforth feels embarrassment and doesn’t know what to do when Proctor brings Mary Warren’s deposition which shows his previous judgment is wrong. He is baffled and find a reason to defend himself, “ There lurks nowhere in your heart, nor hidden in your spirit, Any desire to undermine this court? Are you in all respects a Gospel

One of many reasons the witch trials were able to continue was because of Judge Danforth’s ignorance towards what was actually going on in Salem. When Francis Nurse and John Proctor try to explain to him the girls are deceiving him, he over rules their ideas by challenging “And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?”(Miller 179). Danforth is proud to say that he has put people in jail, put people to death for witchcraft because his ignorance blocks him from seeing the evidence he is presented with is false. As well as being exposed to false evidence, Judge Danforth also makes the claim that witchcraft cannot be disproved; therefore the court has to rely solely on the girl’s accusations. Danforth declares, “But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not?

Poor John Proctor, his reputation scattered to the freezing cold wind. When Danforth accused Proctor of witchcraft I could but turn towards Abagail and point her false for indeed the girls, Abigail, Betty, all of them had some dispute or another with the condemned. They had power over the court, and they were using it. The Jails were packed with people and we had some of the greatest judges in Salem or so I thought.

Danforth focuses on the affect that a postponement will have on his own reputation, and in essence says that he cannot stop the hangings now, as it will show the failure of the court in fairly adjudicating the fates of those previously accused of witchery. Instead of being concerned with providing justice. Danforth attempts to save his reputation from the shame that would follow a stay of execution. He only truly cares about on the personal consequences for his actions, rather than acting as an impersonal arm of the law and declares that “there will be no postponement.” Judge Danforth does not heed the pleas of Reverend Parris, but instead says that if he stops the trials and hangings now, it will imply weakness on his part and be detrimental to his reputation. This decision shows that he is continuing the trials because he is more concerned with his reputation than he is with administering justice.

John, Why is it that I stay here in this horrid dark place knowing only hypocrites? I cannot bear the crude stares they give me anymore. Now that you are gone I'm slowly being strangled from what others fear. They are here torturing me in my mind whilst nothing but spoken words come from their mouths. Aye! If I live the rest of my life, if not murdered, I will cry out witchery, until the last hypocrite is dead and their souls turn to evil. I never met any of this to happen to you, I only wanted good for you. I wanted you, and for us to be happy again as we once were. Now all I see is deceiving people. They have all turned on me yet my spirit, my soul.. has all changed utterly for you John Proctor, and only for you my love.

John Proctor’s decision to die for his name was the wrong one because despite his attempt to die an honest man, his name would remain tainted by his sinful affair regardless of whether he decided to live or die. The reality of Proctor’s decision is that he abandoned his wife, their three sons, and their unborn child for an ultimately futile act of self-sacrifice made for the approval of the townspeople. Throughout the course of the book, Proctor’s guilt from his affair with Abigail continuously guides his decisions and the moment it came time to decide whether to confess and live or maintain his innocence and hang was no different. Proctor decided that he would rather die than taint his name, but this decision stems from the guilt which constantly

As trials are being conducted in the Salem meeting house, John Proctor enters, bringing Mary Warren and a testament of ninety-one townspeople to claim the innocence of those convicted of witchcraft. Danforth questions Proctor’s intentions. He fears that his purpose is to undermine the court. He shares his concern, explaining, “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between.” (Miller 87). Danforth’s strong will and great faith in the court result in an ignorance that prevents him from being open minded to any other possibility. He does not believe that one can disagree with the court without seeking to overthrow it. Danforth’s use of fallacy of the false alternative forces the people of Salem to unquestionably agree with the rulings and executions conducted by the court. For if they don’t, they will risk being accused of seeking to overthrow the court. Moreover, Miller’s use of the device points out others’ ignorance towards the complexity of the situation, displaying how they only view the problem as a black or white matter. The use of this device contributes to the plot by revealing that things aren’t always as they seem. By forcing others to choose from only two options, it also creates an inner conflict of believing in what one holds to be true in their heart or what is

Governor Danforth asked about evidence and Ms. Williams said “ Why would John Proctor lie and taint his name? Is he really the one to dance around a serious

In the play he was careless, self-absorbed, and doubtful of others. In The Crucible Judge Danforth says, “Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these, weeps for corruption” (Miller 1232). After seeing Danforth’s remarks, you will notice that during the witch trials he showed no compassion and care for these people that were falsely accused of being a witch. This also shows that Judge Danforth believed in witches who were falsely accused, but his prideful mind could not grasp that concept, and could not see the people who were either black mailing others, or false witnesses. Michael O’Neal’s words explain, “Judge Danforth lets his prize catch slip away by demanding that Proctor relinquish his signed confession” (¶1). At this point Danforth becomes more worried about getting Proctor’s signature so it will make him look better then he really is but he does not care about Proctor’s life or if he will die or live. Danforth cares about himself and will do anything in his power to make him look higher than anyone else, even if that means being