Miller Attitude Toward The Court's Justice System

During the Salem Witch Trial, he is being naive to find his wife’s behavior difference “Giles: It discomfits me! Last night—mark this—I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly— mark this—I could pray again!” (Arthur Miller 22) by Giles accidentally making this mistakes, his wife was accused to the court then he feels guilt that he causes his wife being accused for the involvement in the witchcraft, then he stands up to save his wife and defend Abigail and other girls made a rumor of witch with no evidence to prove him innocent in the court. He tries to prove his wife is not relate to witch “Giles: I never said my wife were a witch, Mr.Hale; I only said she were reading books”(Arthur Miller 34)

The Crucible is a play that revolves around the witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts. In any trial, it takes a lot of persuasion for a lawyer to convince the courtroom to favor their side. There is one character in particular that strongly uses the three rhetoric devices; ethos, pathos, and logos. Deputy Governor Danforth’s life revolves around public opinion and his reputation. To protect him and other government officials, he persuades the town to believe his opinion. By analyzing Danforth’s use of rhetoric in the courtroom scene, it is evident that the use of ethos, pathos, and logos can successfully win any case.

During the first court proceedings, Proctor gives Danforth a document attesting the good opinions of Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, and Martha Corey. Danforth explains that all ninety-one people who signed the testament must be summoned for questioning. He remarks that it is an attack on the court. When Proctor becomes upset about bringing trouble upon those people, Danforth states, “But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between” (Miller 87). The logical device functions in the scene to create a sense of hopelessness.

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

A court case is an event of great importance, and most trails ultimately end with the person or concept on trail being condemned to be guilty, or being declared innocent of the charge.Some trails take session upon session to find the truth of whether one is guilty and innocent. The longer the trail, the harder it often gets to tell between right and wrong. However, the guilt of some is painfully obvious. The deceptive girl, Abigail Williams, in Arthur Miller’s play the Crucible, shows her guilt by trying to sway John Proctor’s feelings for her, threatening her friends, and accusing so many people of witchcraft.

An example would be “ It is the reflection on himself he resents ” (Miller 97) Danforth realize that he abused the power during “...near to four hundred are in the jails…on my signature.” (Miller pg 91) He notice that he misuse the power to sentencing people. Consequently, Danforth feels the guilt in himself remembering names like Procter and Giles and the insecure the way he is as a judge. He can also take it as he cares about the truth but not when it harms or abuse him as a judge.“No uncorrupted man may fear this court...”(Miller 103) Danforth has this idea about Salem where there are rights.wrong,truth, and justice yet still not clear. He does realize the goods in people that are sentenced to death like Proctor. Proctor, a good man yet his life is jeopardized from Danforth’s foul mouth. Additionally, quote “Are you drunk, Marshall?” (Miller 130) In the end Danforth lost all of the respect and authority from the Salem community. The ideal of Marshal drinking foreshadow that the town of people have been unjust

Often individuals over dramatize their opinion to convey their attitude. Similarly, Danforth often acts extreme in his attempts to rid witchcraft from Salem when he says, “If retaliation is your fear, know this- I [Danforth] should hang ten thousand that dares to rise against the law” (Miller 129). Danforth displays demagoguery while he explains to Reverend Hale why the executions must happen on schedule because he appeals to Hale’s passionate fear of witchcraft. Danforth’s response to Hale works in the scene to further build the audience’s perception of Danforth as irritable and urgent, yet precise, and support his determination as Deputy Governor. However, Danforth’s determination often misguides his rationality. Furthermore, Danforth supports the thematic topic of law in The Crucible and helps the reader understand the severity of justice Miller conveys throughout the play. Danforth’s role develops the play by illustrating the stubbornness of authority in Salem during the witch trials.

The first argument between Giles and Putnam is presented when Mr. Putnam first enters the court. The argument is used to prove Putnam prompted his daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs who had been put in jail. Giles gives the judge his deposition. The argument is

The Federal Court System is one of the most essential and significant functions to help settle a matter. Much work is involved in the application of a body of rules and principals of rulings. The path the Federal Courts have to take in order to be heard by the Supreme Court is a lengthy process. Given millions of disputes every year, it becomes impossible for the Federal Courts to be heard by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has jurisdictions that limit the variety of cases that are clearly defined in the Constitution. The Supreme Court has developed specific rules that within the jurisdictions will and will not hear. The Federal Court must show they have extreme and substantial evidence in the outcome of the case. In mootness, the Federal

Several characters that accused others seemed to have other motifs than to cleanse the town of witchcraft. One, for instance, was Thomas Putnam. Putnam was a wealthy and greedy citizen of Salem. During the play, he accuses people of witchcraft to acquire more land. In the play, Giles Corey states that Putnam told his daughter to accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft. If Jacobs were to hang, the only citizen in Salem wealthy enough to buy his land was Putnam. Giles reported this and when he would not name the man who told him, Danforth arrests him for contempt of court. They torture Giles by placing large stones on his chest, making it hard to breathe, until he confesses. The only words Giles spoke were “more weight”.

Many years ago, before courts existed matters was handled in a privately or informally. This often led to violence and unjust treatment of innocent people. During the rise of the Greek City States and the Roman Empire law enforcement became a public affair instead of private. (Siegel, Schmalleger, & Worral, 2011). Along with this movement became formalized courts and other criminal justice institutions. This allowed for law enforcement matters to be handled in a more civilized manner for resolving human conflict.

One flaw that can always be found in society and the Crucible is hypocrisy. I chose hypocrisy because at some point in one's life, they will be a hypocrite; even if they do not realize it. The characters normalization of the extent of this flaw in the Crucible adds to the irony of the play. Mrs. Putnam is a hypocrite because she condemns Goody Osburn and Goody Good for witchcraft, when she was the one who asked Tituba to conjure spirits in the first place. Mr. Putnam acts concerned about ridding Salem of witches, when really he wants his neighbors gone so that he can buy their land and increase his wealth.

As the trials go on, many more accusations are made. Giles Corey accuses Putnam of trying to get other landowners hanged for witchcraft so that he can have their land for himself. Marshall Danforth asks for a source and the person’s name. Giles says that he cannot give out the person’s name. Giles is in the court because his wife, Martha Corey had been arrested and accused of witchcraft. She gave away a pig to a man, and the pig became ill and died shortly after the pig was acquired. Francis Nurse is in the court because his wife, Rebecca Nurse was arrested too. He along with Giles continue to confront Danforth about Putnam’s doing, but Danforth responds with that they will have to put their thoughts into writing

Miller uses the characterization of Danforth to show how some people will use the power of their position to protect their own interest. An example that shows this statement is when Proctor delivers his testimony, he supports the petition of good opinion of Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey. Parris states the ninety-one people who’ve signed the petition should be put for questioning, but Danforth orders to arrest all of those who’ve signed it. He states a strong argument justifying the way the trials have been handled when he says “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between” (Miller 1298). In addition when Proctor gives his confession, Danforth states to Rebecca “Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin’ to keep this conspiracy any further. Will you confess yourself with him?” (Miller 1330). Danforth believes the victims are all guilty, and desires to force them to admit they’re guilty. He is also convinced that Proctor knows more of the Devil’s acts than what he has stated.

There are three women on the Supreme Court, one of whom is Latina, and there is one black justice serving on the Supreme Court (Brown, 2016). This is a major issue. The United States, the “melting pot”, has an extreme lack of diversity in their court system. This is an issue that affects several aspects of society. Decisions made by judges will affect the lives of men, women, and their families. The decisions made by judges can also create law. Unlike political officials, the people do not always have the power to vote judges into their positions. Instead, the people hope that their peers with the power to affect the system choose a candidate that will fight for them. Often times, this does not happen.