With the absurd amount of corruption and chaos that was present in Salem during the 1690’s, it’s hard to put the blame for the witch trials on any one person. In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, the reader is given a dramatized insight on the events surrounding the dark times that had befallen the province of Massachusetts Bay. The play begins by presenting that aftermath of a ‘ritual’ that had taken place in the woods in which Betty, the daughter of Reverend Parris is seemingly in a coma that everyone believes was brought forth by witchery. When the blame for Betty’s condition is turned towards Tituba (Parris’ slave), Abigail, Mary Warren, and the other girls who were seen by Reverend Parris dancing in the woods, Abigail claims to have only …show more content…
The one who oversees the judgments of the witch trials is Deputy Governor Danforth. From the beginning of Act III, where Danforth is first introduced, it is easily seen from his actions and the expression of his personality that Danforth is most guilty, and therefore most culpable for the debacle in Salem. While overlooking the witch trials, Danforth makes no attempt to hide his true opinions on the cases from the girls or those being accused of witchcraft. After arresting and interrogating a good portion of the townspeople, most of them were sentenced to hang due to their low social statuses, long-standing land disputes, envy, and other petty things between the people in the town instead of their actual affiliation with the devil. Danforth, one of the most influential voices in the determining of the people’s lives, appears to be one of the most biased and selfish people as well. When Francis nurse speaks before the court and states that “the girls … are frauds” and that he “[has] proof of it” (80), it would be expected of a judge to let the witness present their evidence to the court and have their word be factored into the outcome of the trial, but instead, Danforth proceeds to ask Francis nurse if he “[knew of him]” and talk of the “near to four hundred in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn … and the seventy-two condemned to hang … upon [his] signature” (81).
His genuinely concern for Salem and his desire to save the town is what makes him a respected judge. Most government leaders want to help their communities or countries which was what Danforth and McCarthy set out to do. Danforth was an effective government leader, as he states he has been a judge for 23 years, he wouldn't have been a judge for so long if people had thought he was inadequate. Just like McCarthy wanted to rid America of communism, Judge Danforth wanted to rid Salem of the devil. Danforth truly believes that he is guided by God and for that reason he cannot falsely accuse someone. This will lead him to never question himself. In The Crucible Act III Danforth says, “I judge nothing… I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me.” This quote is showing that Danforth really thought the girls were being truthful, he thought what he was seeing was real and therefore he wasn't trying to wrongfully convict anyone. Danforth had come to Salem to help the community and had no other objective just as McCarthy had when he started trying to clear America of
Judge Danforth is also responsible for the Salem witch trials because his rulings to kill people came with no concrete evidence against them, only unreliable witnesses. Judge Danforth has a very cutthroat way for his rulings. One is either guilty or innocent, no opportunity for a second trial or a review of the case. He openly lets the court know this by saying "If you are not with the court, you are against it"(72). This almost proves that Judge Danforth is ignorant to hard evidence, only wanting people to admit that they are with or against him. Neither option is a just opinion, adding to the hysteria, lie so you can live and others die or tell your truth and die while others live. The people of Salem do not want to make this decision, thus leading to more innocent deaths of the people of Salem. If there had been a different judge in the Salem with trials they would have been over without a death and Abigail's deception would have been brought to light. Judge Danforth decides that many people are guilty, when in reality he should have said he was guilty.
Firstly, throughout the play Judge Danforth acts with pride and arrogance. At the commencement of act III Judge Danforth voices his view on the ongoing phase of the witchcraft trials by stating that “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?” (Miller 85). Here Danforth
In The Crucible, Judge Danforth is determined to stop the hysteria over the accusations of witchcraft, but he ultimately ends up adding more chaos and tragedy to the situation at hand. To begin, Judge Danforth is a very powerful and influential character when it comes to the Salem Witch Trials. He is the deputy governor of the town, and it his responsibility to determine the fates of the accused. It all begins when the girls are caught dancing and singing in the woods with Tituba. They decide to accuse her (and their) actions of being those of witchcraft to avoid getting in trouble, but after that, any name that comes
Reverend Parris is the one to blame for the witch trials in Salem because of his egotistical attitude. Parris states as he is talking to Proctor inside his house, “It is not for you to say what is good for you to hear” (Miller 30). At this part of the book, Parris ego shows us that he is the one to blame. Parris believes that he is right in thinking that he knows what is good for the community. In answering one of Danforth’s questions, Parris claims, “I can only say, sir, that I never found any of them naked” (105). Parris responds in such a manner so that his reputation of being a good father and a good minister are
With all that is going on in the world today, what is more important to you freedom or Safety? In The Crucible, Abigale choose her own safety over hers of her friends and family, and in Fahrenheit 451, Guy choose his freedom over the safety of him and his wife and, in Berlin you either live on West Berlin were you were free or you lived on the other side of the wall where you had no freedom but you were safe. So which side of the wall do you want to live on?
Judge Danforth’s conduct during the course of these tragic trials have lead me to be soured of the judicial community’s lack of impartiality. Judge Danforth is not alone in his quest for “justice”. Many other judges have used “divine right” as an excuse for the murder of innocent people. The witch trials are a mockery,that have no proof, evidence, or any other grounds for a trial. The only evidence they have, if we can even call it evidence, “spectral” evidence and hearsay. They be hanging people because a party of 16 year old lying heathens have claimed manifested spirits of the convicted have attacked them. How can these children blind the court, enough to get people murdered, under the guise of being bewitched. God save Salem
Arthur Miller has created John Proctor the protagonist of The Crucible to be a 30 year old farmer in Salem, Massachusetts, powerful of body, even-tempered and not easily led. John speaks his mind when he recognizes injustice. He is highly respected, even feared, by some in Salem. His name is synonymous with honour and integrity. He takes pleasure in exposing hypocrisy and is respected for it. However John is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time but against his own vision of decent conduct, he has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud. After admitting to lechery, John is accused of witchcraft, on this charge he is condemned.
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 second person that is responsible for the witch hysteria is Reverend Parris. Parris is a very greedy man that only cares about his reputation. “But if you trafficked with the spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.” (Miller 1.9). When he says this his daughter is laying in bed in a death like state, and all he cares about is if the townspeople will use his daughter being sick to overthrow him. The first reason that makes him responsible is that he is an instigator. He is always trying to make people look bad, especially John Proctor. “Such a Christian that will not come to church but once in a month.” (Miller 3.41). When Parris is saying this he is trying to make Proctor out to be an unholy man. Parris is trying to make it seem like John’s word is not truthful because he doesn’t come to church often. Another reason that Parris is responsible for the hysteria is that he lied about finding the girls dancing naked in the woods. He says to Danforth in act three “I do not, sir, but I never saw any of them naked.” (Miller 47), but in act one he say to Abigail “I saw a dress lying on the grass. And I thought I saw someone naked running through
Public figure wrongfully kills innocent people. The Salem witch trials began in 1962, when a group of girls are accused of being possessed by a devil (History.com). Many women are accused of being witches and eventually tried in court to determine if they are innocent, or not. Governor Danforth is the deputy governor in Massachusetts and oversees the trials in Salem. Governor Danforth is at fault because he dominates the witchcraft trials with poor decision making, favoritism towards people and believes no one should fear God or the court’s ruling.
The Crucible was a play written by Arthur Miller during the era of McCarthyism. This time period and person experiences helped influence the outcomes and aspects of the play written to mimic the Salem Witch Trials. Many characters were accused and even tried for witchcraft, while the audience is clear of whom the guilty party is the entire play. Elizabeth Proctor, the wife to John Proctor the wrongly one wrongly accused and executed, had many conflicts in this play as many others did. Elizabeth Proctor was met with conflicts of wrong accusations, adultery, death threats, and eventually, losing her husband. Elizabeth Proctor endured an incredible amount of pain and conflict throughout the play, The Crucible. She was met with many conflicts that involved many the people she loved, or once trusted. Elizabeth Proctor ended one of the only characters that would feel the pain of the trials forever.
He is depicted as stubborn, as shown in his response when Giles Corey provides evidence that proves his wife’s innocence. Danforth responds by saying “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe…? This is the highest court…in this province, do you know it?” His refusal to hear evidence that is likely to contradict his guilty verdict indicates that ultimately, Danforth considers himself the final judge of what is right and wrong, reflecting the corruption inherent in Salem’s authority. The authors thus provide valuable insight into the signs and motivations of a corrupt government.
Deputy Governor Danforth is a selfish, arrogant, and corrupt man who only cares about his own goods. His flawed personalities and hypocritical attitudes make him blind and irrational throughout the entire witchcraft, which directly causes the calamity of the town. Danforth feels embarrassing and doesn’t know what to do when Proctor brings Mary Warren’s deposition that shows his previous judgments are 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 Christian? Not come to Church?”(94). Instead of taking a closer look at the details and the evidence of the case, he chooses to question Proctor’s credibility, and he believes people who confound his theory are challenging his authority and he will never let that happen. Furthermore, Danforth is somewhat terrified and worried
Throughout this past semester, we have covered a lot of plays and their films that correspond within those plays. While I have learned a lot along the way I have found that there are certain plays that stuck out. Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and The Importance of Being Earnest were among some of these plays from this semester. However, one of my personal favorites is The Crucible. I was able to uncover many themes from this play such as secret sin, lies and deceit, and religion.