Explain what happens in Act 3 from Danforth’s point of view- and show

Explain what happens in Act 3 from Danforth’s point of view- and show

how Arthur Miller makes it clear to the audience that Danforth is not

only misguided but deliberately ignores any evidence that casts doubt

on the stories of Abigail Williams

GCSE English Literature 20th Century Drama Coursework,

“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

Essay Question:

Explain what happens in Act 3 from Danforth’s point of view- and show

how Arthur Miller makes it clear to the audience that Danforth is not

only misguided but deliberately ignores any evidence that casts doubt

on the stories of Abigail Williams and the other girls.

Danforth, as “the Deputy Governor of the Province” of Massachusetts is

an extremely powerful and influential man, a representative of the

King of England. He represents the combined authority of church and

state in this theocratic society of the day.

We do not meet Danforth until the start of Act 3, although Arthur

Miller mentions him briefly at the beginning of Act 2 not by name but

by his office. Danforth is not one of the main characters in the play

but he is certainly the most controversial. Arthur Miller makes us

aware of how this man is a paradox, but I shall return to this

shortly.

In the first two Acts of this play, set in Salem 1692, Arthur Miller

introduces us to the main characters and the events that lead to this

witch- hunt. He describes the people of Salem as a “sect of fanatics

whose creed forbade anything resembling a theatre or vain enjoyment”

and a “holiday from work meant that they must concentrate even more

upon prayer.”

Their outlook and self enforced discipline did help them to survive a

life, which I can only imagine as very harsh, as some of the first

settlers in America. These people lived by very strict rules and

regulations, and were not allowed to express their feelings physically

or verbally. The events that lead to the witch- hunt were, in my view,

the bubble bursting- such repression found an outlet! Arthur Miller

states “the witch- hunt was not mere repression” but a “long overdue

opportunity for everyone to express publicly his guilt and sins under

the accusations against victims. It suddenly became possible to speak

of matters which were forbidden in an ordinary way.” Also “hatred of

neighbours would now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken.” “Old

scores would be settled,” and all this under the umbrella of morality

and self righteousness.

Before the start of the play Reverend Parris has caught a group of

girls, led by his niece Abigail Williams, dancing in the woods- a