As he follows up on the possession concerns, he proceeds to inquire as to the Christian beliefs of community members who have been arrested on suspicion of witchcraft by testing their knowledge of the Ten Commandments. ", Essential Quotes by Character: John Proctor, Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama). Some characteristics of being an effective judge is being fair, having courage, and impartiality. A greater contrast with the eager, self-confident authority of act 1 could scarcely be imagined. He is. Judge Danforth, the epitome of theocracy at the time believed you were either for God, or you were not, and there was no road in between. Not only was he ignorant to the girls true intentions but he also abused his power and punished anyone who spoke out against him. Governor Danforth followed the girls accusations and put them in jail for witchcraft (Miller 1257-1385). In act 4 of The Crucible, why does John Proctor decide to confess but refuse to sign a written confession? Students analyze the human experience through time, I have put clothes upon your backnow give me an upright answer. How many people die in Arthur Miller's The Crucible? What is Danforth's primary motivation in act 3? - eNotes.com Hale is an expert in the field of witchcraft who feels the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for., The Reverend Hale is a logical, good-intentioned man who, at the outset of the play, is a scholarly type seeking to help the community maintain a peaceful society. At the end, Why does Parris suggest calling in Reverend Hale? (Miller 131). This quote represented Danforths character as he has a very narrow form of justice, either right or wrong. Hes mystified by the suggestion that Martha Corey would be accused of being a witch simply because she reads books. How What is the relationship between Danforth and Reverend Samuel Parris in The Crucible? Danforth is a grave man in his sixties, of some humor and sophistication that does not . When first introduced and described, early in Act III, he comes across as quite an impressive character. Include the following events on the handout: Leave them Hale states, I observed in the prosecution of these affairs, that there was in the Justices, Judges and others concerned, a conscientious endeavor to do the thing that was right. he then later states But what chiefly carried on this matter to such an height, was the increasing of confessors til they amounted to near about fifty. While Governor phips goes into more detail in reference to the actual court proceedings, When the Court came to sit at Salem in the County of Essex they convicted more than twenty persons of being guilty of witchcraft, some of the convicted were such as confessed their Guilt, the Court as I understand began their proceedings with the accusations of the afflicted and then went upon other humane evidences to strengthen that. Only together the sources are able to give the reader the information needed, showing a disadvantage to using primary sources to evaluate history. Hale why his wife seems to be able to . . In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the audience introduced to a chaotic 1692 Salem, Massachusetts. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. He spends the majority of his time visiting the wrongly accused citizens in prison and encourages them to give false testimonies in order to save their lives. terms correctly, including B.C.E. One is when Danforth plays rather fast and loose with the law. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Reverend John Hale, a minister reputed to be an expert on witchcraft, is called in to Salem. Parris sends for Reverend Hale to study the situation since he is more conversant with matters surrounding demonic arts. 'The Crucible' Character Study: Who is Judge Danforth? board and students can self-check their work. The Crucible Cause and Effect essay There is blood on my head! Reverend Parris in The Crucible Hale. ), C.E. If she does, he tells Abigail, may God have mercy on your soul. He believes that he knows the way to root out Satan and banish him from the village, that he can identify witches beyond the shadow of a doubt and compel them to return to the Lord. He is highly regarded as a witch expert. The hysteria of the trials does not extinguish his . With suspicion of witchcraft, Reverend Parris calls Hale to town as an expert. How does Reverend Hale represent integrity in The Crucible by Arthur Miller? He looked at all of his fancy witchcraft books and used them for evidence more than the witness's testimonies., In Act I Reverend, or John, Hale is presented to the reader in a straightforward manner. After Giles Corey is arrested and Elizabeth lies on behalf of her husband, Hale is fully convinced that the court is corrupt. Hale now knows that the entire proceedings have been a sham caused by silly girls and gullible adults with the devil and superstition on their shoulders. Display student work around the classroom. Crucible character, Abigail Williams, represents the repressed desires that many of the Puritans possess. Giles Corey. There is many people to blame for the Salem Witch Trials but, Abigail Williams is most culpable. Putnam is a bitter man who feels that the citizens of Salem have not given him the respect that he and his family deserve. The main Man vs. Self conflict concerns John Proctor's internal struggle to preserve his reputation or undermine Abigail's authority by exposing his own infidelity. Hale is introduced as extremely arrogant and proud with his goal being light, goodness and its preservation(Miller 34). After several months, Hale returns on the day of Proctors execution. Latest answer posted April 17, 2020 at 1:25:04 AM. As Reverend John Hale is not a resident of Salem, he approaches the accusations and rumors without any prior opinion. By my oath to Heaven, I believe him now, and I pray you call back his wife before we. She believes that Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, and she wished to learn who murdered her seven children during their infancy. Essential Quotes by Character: John Proctor, Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama). ", Latest answer posted March 27, 2020 at 12:59:11 PM. The obvious breakdown in Salems social order led to the tragedy in which twenty innocent people were hanged on the accusation of witchcraft. approximate year next to each event. Finally, when Proctor is sentenced to death, Hale denounces the court and leaves Salem. She refuses because she believes that it is his decision. He is also convinced that Proctor knows more of the Devils acts than what he has stated. As part of his job, he is going around town meeting with people who have been brought up in the courts. Danforth's tirade makes it clear he will not bend, for he is God's voice on earth. Allow students to view each others timeline The trials and the executions were traumatic, and many characters were affected by what had happened. are the measurements the same for each era or year. Throughout the drama, Hale evolves from a man with intentions to free the world from satanic influence to a person who realizes the Salem witch trials were based on lies and fakery. Although he never stops believing in the existence of witchcraft in Salem, he does still maintain an unshakable commitment to due process. Danforth comes to the jailhouse on the day that Proctor and Rebecca are to be put to death. ", Latest answer posted March 27, 2020 at 12:59:11 PM. Reverend Hale does try to convince him to stop but Danforth does not listen. Giles Corey Character Analysis in The Crucible | SparkNotes He does not try to have a just trial for the people, but just has a trial. He agrees that all those people should be called before the church, a fact that horrifies Francis, as Francis promised no harm would come to them. Deputy Governor Danforth oversees the witchcraft trials in Salem, as well as in other parts of Massachusetts. Key Facts Video Summary Characters Character List John Proctor Abigail Williams Reverend Hale Elizabeth Proctor Judge Danforth Mary Warren Giles Corey Literary Devices Themes Motifs English Period 5 I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! Judge Danforth is responsible because he is not concerned about justice, all he cares about is being correct about the witch trials. Since Proctor has chosen not to attend church, Hale comes to question him by asking Proctor to repeat the Ten Commandments. In order to ensure the court's stability and authority, Danforth initially tries to bribe John Proctor to drop the charges by allowing Elizabeth to return home. Click the card to flip 1 / 24 In the following exchange between Danforth and Francis Nurse. People are taken from their homes, tried for a crime they did not commit, and some even convicted upon false accusations as a result of fear and hysteria running rampant throughout society. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Danforth, as we are told in some background information in act three, is the Deputy Governor of the colony. He arrives in town fully expecting to find witches under every rock, round every corner. But because he refuses to name his witness, Danforth refuses to accept the evidence. Overall, Reverend Hale changes from being a staunch supporter of the court and influential member of the proceedings to an opponent of Salem's corrupt authority figures. The Crucible Act 3 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts As for Danforth's personality, Miller says that "he is a grave man in his sixties, of some humor and sophistication that does not, however, interfere with an exact loyalty to his position and his cause." and why? Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 10:36:50 AM. M.A. Hale learns of the arrest of both Rebecca and Martha, and, despite having knowledge of Rebeccas virtues, he believes witchcraft is evident and orders that due process be followed. He agrees to call Elizabeth out to see if she confirms her husbands story. As the story progressed, Hales attitude changed from confidence to concern to outrage, and finally, to guilt., One single person can determine the outcome of a life by trial in law; said person is the judge of the court system. The victim may become the accuser, or the scholar may become the humanitarian. With suspicion of witchcraft, Reverend Parris calls Hale to town as an expert. Danforth, as we are told in some background information in act three, is the Deputy Governor of the colony. In addition, Hale asks Elizabeth Proctor to ask her husband to save himself. and is removed from the court (Miller, 119). He does not believe that concrete evidence is need so he automatically condemns the people to death because of the girls influence. When Abigail and other girls pretend that Mary's spirit is attacking them and Danforth accuses John of being involved in witchcraft, Proctor yells "God is dead!" In The Crucible Miller uses direct characterization so the readers can easily see who the characters are through descriptive diction. Miller quickly establishes the atmosphere of the colony as a rigid place with a community focus on religion, prayer, and the Bible. Many people in the town of Salem feel guilty for not speaking up until their wives were accused. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. A stern, harsh-tongued man, John hates hypocrisy. He likes to think of himself as fair-minded, so it disturbs and angers him to discover that people fear the court. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. Character List John Proctor A local farmer who lives just outside town; Elizabeth Proctor's husband. Danforth proves that he cares more about his authority and position than he does about finding the truth and protecting the innocent. The mass witch hysteria in Salem. Obviously, in this courtroom that's not true. From the beginning, this man has struck me true. How many people die in Arthur Miller's The Crucible? Abigail Williams Character Analysis in The Crucible | SparkNotes He says, "The pure in heart need no lawyers." He secretly worships Satan He shows a spirit of independence and temper He is open about his affair with Abigail He is subservient to his wife Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. A person being accused of witchcraft was the worst thing possible in this society. Accessed 9 July 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. 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. Deeply embittered, he accuses many of being . Despite his early enthusiasm for discerning the presence of witchcraft in Salem, Hale soon grows disillusioned with the witchcraft accusations that abound and defends Proctor when he challenges Abigail. You are certainly aware of our procedure here, Mr. As the play progresses, however, Hale becomes noticeably more humble in his demeanor. What is The Crucible by Arthur Miller an allegory for? By being exposed to the residents of Salem, Hale gained the capability to see the truth, leading to desperate attempts to restore justice in a society full of insensible beliefs. He claims that the trial is justified because the voice of Heaven is, In any community, the people rely on the power of law and justice to protect them. If retaliation is your fear, know thisI should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes. The Crucible Act One Summary and Analysis He is intelligent, successful, and highly respected. Log in here. We know the girls have eaten with some regularity with the judges; and, while perhaps the court did not have the official status of the court system today, the court was powerful enough to execute the guilty and should not have been so comfortable with the accusers. Who Is Judge Danforth In The Crucible | ipl.org These accounts illustrate comprehensively the picture of a court concerned with doing the right thing for their people and trying the accused in the way they see fit. By the end of the play, Reverend Hale denounces the proceedings and actively attempts to undermine the court's authority. This statement may sound prideful, but when the gravity of the situation and Hales importance to the citizens of Salem is factored in, Hales comment merely reflected the feelings of the town and the importance he has in it. Parris's insecurity and obsessive concern with his reputation result from his near paranoid belief that someone is plotting to persecute him, steal his position, ruin his good name, or harm him in some other way. Rulers, pre-cut strips of timeline paper (24 x 3 will work), Prehistoric web page then complete a timeline puzzle on How does Reverend John Hale change throughout The Crucible by Arthur What is a summary ofThe Crucible by Arthur Miller? How would you characterize Danforth's personality?" eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Judge Hathorne in The Crucible - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com The places they stand at the finish, however, could not be more different. In The Crucible, many are tested with regards to their faith and put on trial for witchcraft. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses McCarthyism to show how important mass hysteria is, mass hysteria involving Abigail, and the breaking of Mary Warren's will leads to mass hysteria. Abigail Williams is mostly responsible for the Salem witch trials because she was the first person to start accusing innocent people of witchcraft. 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 girls accusations. B.A. (Common Era). He is, evidently, the chief magistrate in the trials as a result of his position, and people present themselves and their evidence directly to him. Hale arrives as an educated religious scholar who is brought to find the truth behind the witchery. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a social play set in the Puritan colony of Salem, Massachusetts and based loosely on historical events in the year 1692. How Does Danforth Occur In The Crucible - 1194 Words | Bartleby Arthur miller included, The Crucible was Giles Corey's refusal to answer his indictment for witchcraft in order to preserve his land for his sons' inheritance.(Marino) Many of the citizens felt witchcraft was among them but had never spoke up, causing them to become suspect. John Hale in The Crucible by Arthur Miller epitomizes a dynamic character. patterns, themes, ideas, beliefs, and turning points in Arizona, Hale consistently challenges Danforth in his questioning of Mary Warren and John Proctor realizing that Proctor is telling the truth. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. He believes that the good people have nothing to fear because God will protect them. eNotes Editorial, 20 May 2015, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-judge-danforth-background-history-book-479741. As a recognized authority on the devil and witchcraft, initially Hale appears arrogant and authoritative. Giles Corey. Yet the more time Hale spent there, the more he changed his opinion on the situation. The Crucible: Character List | SparkNotes Salem was a very isolated and puritanical community, so their biggest fear was the devil and witchcraft. The Crucible Characters When Hale suggests that its important for Danforth to listen to Proctors evidence, they have a discussion about the justice of the proceedings. In Arthur Millers The Crucible the inappropriate actions of the character of Judge Danforth, the voice of. A judge safeguards the law and holds the power of a god. In act 2, Reverend Hale visits the homes of accused citizens in order to get a better understanding of the community and its members. He believes that no innocent person should fear the court, and that he and Judge Hathorne are . When Danforth fails to give a fair trial to Proctor, Hale doubts the purpose of the trials. Those who did not know their commandments were assumed to be cavorting with the devil, and Judge Danforth, power hungry with lynchings, called all the shots.