Danforth In The Crucible

Danforth’s stubborn demeanor controls most of his accusations and influences his decisions. He truly believes that the only way to prove there is witchcraft is if the victim accuses the assailant. However, there is a serious flaw in this method. Anyone can make an accusation and no one will be the wiser as to if they are lying. When Proctor comes into the court to give evidence of the girls lies, he accuses Danforth of not using evidence. Danforth tells Proctor if people are accused of being witches then it’s “Ipso facto” and they are guilty (103). Francis Nurse then gives a petition to Danforth. Instead of looking at it as evidence he tells Hathorne to “arrest for examination” the 91 names on the petition (97). Danforth cannot think of the girls as a lie because his behavior prevents him.
Parris comes to Danforth for he fears that the names of Rebecca Nurse, John Proctor, and Martha Corey which carry so much weight in the town will start a rebellion. Danforth denies the rebellion, refusing to believe such a thing. to plead the postponing of hanging . Danforth says that “It is not just” for they’ve already hanged 12 others for the same crime (130). By the time Danforth starts to see the extent of the accusations tying into the community, he cannot undo what he has accused the previous 12. He can however postpone the current hangings but his pride prevents him from doing