Danforth In The Crucible

862 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Characterisation in the crucible

Deputy Governor Danforth is the leading government official in Salem, Massachusetts and his character, an enigma, makes it hard to decipher his intentions. Danforth, a morally ambiguous character, has a large amount of power and he exercises it liberally without others knowing of it’s justification. Respect is easily given to Danforth by the characters Herrick, Cheever, and Hawthorne, essentially only by his sycophants. Each character never questions his commands and they perform his biddings with ease. Danforth converses with Herrick, “Danforth: Indeed. That man has no authority to enter here, Marshal. Why have you let him in? Herrick: Why, Mr. Parris command me, sir. I cannot deny him. Danforth: Are you drunk, Marshal? Herrick: No, Sir, …show more content…

Danforth does not realize it, but Abigail manipulates him to achieve her menacing goals. Abigail tells Danforth exactly what he wants to hear in this scene, “Danforth, thinks, glances at Mary, then back at Abigail: Children, a very augur bit will now be turned into your souls until honesty is proved. Will either of you change your positions now, or do you force me to hard questioning?” (103). Danforth wants to control Abigail, and she allows this by giving him the information he needs without resistance because she knows she can accomplish her own goals using Danforth. However, for one moment Danforth questions Abigail and she turns the situation instantly onto Danforth’s innocence. Abigail warns Danforth in this scene, “Abigail: I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people—and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a—Danforth, weakening: Child, I do not mistrust you—Abigail, an open threat: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you be so might that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!” (109). Even though Danforth thinks he controls everything after receiving the “truth” from Abigail, he does not have everything under control. Abigail turns the situation around on him just like he did on Giles and puts him in

Show More
Related

  • Annotated Bibliography On The Crucible

    399 Words  | 1 Pages

    The focus of Miller’s The Crucible is an appalling witch trial that morfs the once-peaceful town of Salem into a cutthroat slaughterhouse. As a lucrative playwright and a not-so-subtle allegory author, Miller is a seasoned wordsmith who addresses people akin to himself, and is not secretive about that information. The Crucible best serves its purpose as a learning device and a social statement, especially at the time of its publishing. Miller‘s piece showcases the appeals in an easy-to-identify manner that is perfect for middle or high school students who are new to the appeals, or for English majors who have no problem pinpointing them, making this play ideal for a classroom setting.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Fallacies In The Crucible

    869 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, he does not care about the repercussions as long as his wife is out of jail. To make sure his claim was true, Danforth brings in his wife to validate his claim. If she told the court he cheated on her, then she would be taken out of jail, but if she did not, it would prove Abigail to be truthful. Being the good wife she is, though, she attempts to save her husband’s name by lying in front of the court. Procter trying to prove his wife was a good woman evidently led her to more time in prison, tarnishing his name, and giving Abigail more credibility.

    Read More

  • The Actions of Judge Danforth in The Crucible

    1622 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...and accusations. The extend to which Abigail has manipulated Judge Danforth is shown here. Danforth’s unconditional reliability in Abigail motivated the people in Salem to accused each other to save their own skins. This brought about chaos and commotion to the people of Salem.

    Read More

  • The Crucible: Danforth And Hale

    1407 Words  | 3 Pages

    Arthur Millers The Crucible possesses many examples of interesting character development. A character who one initially finds to be worthy of mercy or pity can easily become the last person deserving of sympathy. This relationship is not only formed between the reader and the characters, but between the characters and the scenario of the story itself. The victim may become the accuser, or the scholar may become the humanitarian. This manner of characterization is best shown in the relationship between Reverend John Hale and Deputy Governor Danforth. Each is objectified to the events in Salem as they come into the situation with no attachments to any of the other characters and are unfamiliar with any of their mannerisms or personalities. Hale is a well-read minister who relies upon his books. Danforth is a reputable judge who relies on consistent input and prodding. Both of these men enter the trials with very similar goals. The places they stand at the finish, however, could not be more different. This is due to the personal relationships and opinions Hale develops concerning Salem. Reverend Hale is a dynamic character who learns his role as a minister while Judge Danforth is a constant force who voices others opinions through his authority.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Authority In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    696 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the instant that Abigail was granted authority over the townspeople she acted on it in order to have power. Not only is there power that comes with authority, but there is also responsibility which was demonstrated by Danforth. Too much authority granted to an individual can

    Read More

  • Mary Warren Character Analysis

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mary realizes that what Abigail is doing is wrong and she’s the only one who can put a stop to it. Abigail’s frustration grew as Mary announced to the court that, “She [Abigail] sees nothin’!” (121) and tried to accuse her of murder. Abigail saw Mary’s confidence building up as Mary kept denying using witchcraft after she repeatedly accused Abby of it. Transition here Abigail screaming at the “bird” on the ceiling because she thought it was Mary, Mary supposedly sent to attack her as Danforth asks Mary, “Have you compacted with the Devil? Have you?”(121) and Mary replies with, “Never, Never” (121). Mary Warren knows that if she does not admit to using witchcraft she could be hung, but she knows she must put an end to Abby’s manipulation. Earlier in the novel, Mary was too intimidated by Abigail and would never have had the courage to accuse Abby of lying about the events in the woods. To successfully accuse Abby, Mary had to admit that, “I never saw no spirits” (112) which put her own life in danger as well. Until accusing Abby of witchcraft and murder in the court with John Proctor, Mary Warren had no confidence in herself and did what everyone else wanted her to do. At the end of the play, Mary made decisions for herself and wasn’t afraid to go against what everyone else was doing.

    Read More

  • The Crucible Lechery Quotes

    1136 Words  | 3 Pages

    Parris shows how important his name means to him when Betty is accused of being touched by the Devil. Parris calls in Hale in hopes any rumors of witchcraft would be cleared of his name. Proctor makes a life or death decision, whether he was going to lie to the court and his name forever be ruined, or die a good saintly person. Proctor chooses to die a saintly person because he did not want to ruin his name for his kids. Danforth has to make a very arduous decision when he finally realizes that the dozens of citizens he’s killed have been innocent. Danforth puts his name before the citizen’s lives by remaining judge of the court. The characters sanctity of their name is often used to help with their decision making throughout the

    Read More

  • The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    1636 Words  | 4 Pages

    Even when she appeals for help from Danforth they continue to echo her. E.g. Mary: “Mr. Danforth!” Abigail and the girls: “Mr. Danforth!” This may be because Abigail does not want Mary to tell Danforth the truth and Abigail’s plot. This therefore prevents Danforth from finding out about Abigail and her manipulation of the other girls.

    Read More

  • Corruption In The Crucible

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    Proctor agrees with Danforth’s statement, but not in the way the people assume. The Devil reveals himself within Abigail, and Proctor binds himself to her during their affair. Lucifer corrupts Abigail and eventually takes down a monumental portion of Salem.

    Read More

  • John Proctor's Confession In The Crucible

    1257 Words  | 3 Pages

    Parris and Danforth prioritize their reputations over John Proctor’s actual life. Hale does not care about his good name, but about the lives of the people in Salem and his guilt for partaking in the trials. Like Proctor, Parris, Hale, and Danforth are extremely flawed men. They all make unrighteous decisions that can be selfish. Unlike Proctor, though, these men place their own needs above the needs of the community. John Proctor has lived in Salem all his life and cares for the town and its citizens, whereas Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, and Danforth are all outsiders to the town. They place themselves above the well-beings of the townspeople for the reason that they do not care if Salem is to be destroyed. Reverend Parris, Reverend Hale, and Deputy Governor Danforth’s yearn of John Proctor’s confession represents they only care for their own self-interests and not about what his confession could do for the town of

    Read More

  • The Crucible Power Analysis

    1465 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play, after Abigail runs away, it becomes obvious that she lied and that she left to escape punishment. Parris wants to postpone the hangings and get more people to confess. He suggests to Danforth, “Excellency, I would postpone these hangin’s for a time… This way, unconfessed and claiming innocence, doubts are multiplied, many honest people will weep for them, and our good purpose is lost in their tears.” (Pg. 118) With Abigail gone, people know that innocent people were hanged and might chose to blame authority for being so easily deceived. Parris realizes that his supporting the trials could reflect badly on his reputation as a church official; thus, he begins to request for postponements and encourage people to ‘confess’. For Parris, it is less about proving people innocent or guilty but about clearing his name so he does not lose his power in the church. On the other hand, Danforth chooses to continue with the hangings. He says, “Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more. I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. Twelve are already executed; the names of those seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die this morning. Postponement now speaks a floundering of them that died till now.” (Pg. 119) Danforth refuses to stop the hangings or pardon anyone because Danforth does not want to

    Read More

  • How Does The Crucible Show The Nature Of Power And Authority

    2327 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...ithout concrete evidence. Also, Abigail allows innocent people to be alleged and sometimes even hanged without a chance to defend themselves. Her main reason was to prove the hypocrisy within the town. “Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!” Abigail is hinting that no one especially Danforth, who is loaded with power and authority is able to escape the devil. She sees the trials as a game. Abigail wishes to punish Salem for its hypocritical values by falsely accusing women and men for their wrong doing. Danforth, with the abuse of his authority in a way represents the “Un- American activist committee,” by questioning as many “Communists” as they could. Abigail’s abuse of power represents how blame was thrown onto innocent people, for their lives to be taken if they didn’t “name names.”

    Read More

  • Theme Of Power In The Crucible

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Them that will not confess will hang. While I speak with God 's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering. I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and ocean of salt tears could not the resolution of the statutes." (Miller 129). Judge Danforth is not afraid to kill those that stand in his way. He is very similar to Abigail in that he will have innocent people killed to prove a point or to get what he wants. Its his way or the highway. If you do not cooperate, you will die. He abuses his power to get people to talk and give names. He is also very similar to Parris in his concern for power. Danforth holds all the power in the courtroom and basically forces you to talk and confess. If you don 't cooperate, then you will suffer the consequences. Ergo, it is a win-win situation for the accuser. "You are the high court, you word is good enough!" (Miller 143). Proctor later denounced himself for saying this, but the phrase is completely true. This quote is a reference to Danforth 's abuse of power throughout the witch trials. The high court deeply resembles the courts during the McCarthyism era. They held all the power and had the people 's lives in their hands. Danforth was prideful and believed himself to be a honest man. So whatever he thought was right, was declared as right. If they said you were guilty of being a witch, and hanged you, then no one in Salem did anything about it. They couldn 't say or do anything because the high court was always right. Many innocent people died because Danforth couldn 't admit he was wrong. If he did admit to being wrong, then the high court would lose power and it would of hurt his

    Read More

  • Scarlet Letter Essay

    1276 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of all time, had trouble answering this age-old question: what’s in a name? Are we defined by our given names, our nicknames, or by our personalities and actions, especially the mistakes we make? Nathaniel Hawthorne explores this idea with the characters in his novel, The Scarlet Letter. In contrast to modern-day Boston, Hawthorne depicts a time period where there were no deadlier sins than the lust for revenge, corruptness(especially in high society), and the overwhelmingly evident act of adultery. Vengefulness is still prominent in today’s society, but there is next to no one who showcases such a need for revenge than Roger Chillingworth. A character that should be virtually sin-free, the sister of Governor Bellingham, Mistress Hibbins, represents corruptness in the form of witchcraft in this Puritan town. There may be no better representation of sin than Hester Prynne, who bears her sin publicly and constantly; Hester embodies sin, physically and mentally. Even from the beginning of the story, it was clear everyone would be affected by Hester’s unforgivable act, especially her betrayed husband; although, he hadn’t been entirely innocent either.

    Read More

  • Power And Authority In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    Danforth’s has too much confidence on his ability to distinguish the truth. His strong puritan beliefs blinds him from reality and considers people who goes against him as suspects. This demonstrated when he says, “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.” (94). This quotation proves that his decisions on court is mostly bias and he is against anything that violates his puritan beliefs. In addition, he also uses his authority as a Deputy Governor to maintain his reputation. He does not want to accept his mistakes and try to correct it because he does not want his reputation to be tainted. He displays this character by saying, “you misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just.” (129). Danforth is too concerned about his reputation and he is afraid to that he will lose it if he admits that he has made wrong judgements. His bias opinion on what is right plays a vital on the mass hysteria that happened in

    Read More

More about Danforth In The Crucible

Open Document