why does danforth refuse to give proctor a lawyer

Why does Danforth not allow Proctor to obtain a lawyer? The evidence is invisible, and the lawyer would only bring in irrelevant evidence. How does Abigail respond to Mary's claim?

Full Answer

How does Danforth feel about Proctor's evidence?

Summarize his arguments. Danforth is skeptical of the evidence that Proctor and the others present to the court because it isn't easy for him to comprehend. He thinks that no one would falsely accuse another. The only evidence he needs is an accusation because he believe witchcraft is an 'invisible crime.

Why is Danforth's assertion that lawyers are unnecessary ironic?

11 Characterization Danforth A true Puritan 12 Verbal Irony Why is Danforth's insistence that lawyers are unnecessary ironic? Since the court is so unwilling to listen to defenders of the accused or to accept their evidence, they need the legal protection that the court insists no innocent person needs.

Why does Danforth refuse to accept the truth?

Once he believes the girls, lead by Abigail, really are possessed, Danforth is trapped by his own ego, unable to see that they’re lying despite mounting evidence. He just can’t go back and admit that he was fooled. Danforth represents the evil of blind certainty in the play: he refuses to accept the truth because to do so would humiliate him.

Why does Proctor refuse to drop the charge of murder?

Proctor refuses to drop the charge because his friend's (Giles and Francis) wives are going to hang. He is still concerned about everyone else in the jails/about to hang.

Why does Danforth refuse to let Proctor have a lawyer?

Why does Danforth not allow Proctor to obtain a lawyer? The evidence is invisible, and the lawyer would only bring in irrelevant evidence.

Why does Danforth believe that Proctor has come to the court?

Mary tells Danforth that she was lying and that all of the girls are lying. Danforth is suspicious of Mary and Proctor because he thinks Proctor is threatening Mary into this confession.

Why does Danforth refuse to stop the proceedings?

Danforth refuses to postpone the hangings because it would admit some wrongdoing or doubt, a "floundering" on their part and it would also cast doubt on the executions and condemnations of the who have already been hanged.

Why does Judge Danforth say that defense for the accused is unnecessary?

Danforth says witchcraft is an invisible crime, so the witch and the victim are the only real witnesses. That means only the victim is left for reliable testimony in court (since obviously the witch can't be trusted), so lawyers are unnecessary.

What deal does Danforth try to make with Proctor?

What deal does Danforth try to make with Proctor? Elizabeth is pregnant. Danforth says he will let Elizabeth live at least until the child is born if John will drop the charges. John refuses to do this.

Why does Danforth react as he does when Proctor asks to place Marys deposition before the court?

How does Danforth react to the news that Proctor has a deposition from Mary? He rejects the deposition. Why do you think Danforth asks whether Proctor has told the story to the village? Danforth is worried that there is a ploy in the town to overthrow the court.

Why does Danforth refuse to pardon the prisoners?

Danforth cannot pardon the prisoners, despite Hale's pleas and his obvious doubts about their guilt, because he does not want to “cast doubt” on the justification of the hangings of the twelve previously condemned and on the sentence of hanging for the seven remaining prisoners.

How did Danforth abuse his power?

Danforth: Judge, Jury, and Executioner Judge Danforth's position in the crucible is the Judge assigned to the proceedings of the Salem witch trials. Instead of treating this immense responsibility with the respect and restraint that is needed, Danforth abused his power by betraying the people of Salem and the Law.

What reason does Danforth give for having to hang the remainder of the prisoners?

What reason does Danforth give for having to hang the remainder of the prisoners? That they already hung a bunch of people and it wouldn't be fair to them if others were given more time to confess.

What is ironic about Danforth's insistence that lawyers are unnecessary?

Since the court is so unwilling to listen to defenders of the accused or to accept their evidence, they need the legal protection that the court insists no innocent person needs. Why is Danforth's insistence that lawyers are unnecessary ironic? The play is filled with people who lie against their neighbors.

How is Judge Danforth corrupt?

Judge Danforth was corrupt in "The Crucible" because he knew that the hysteria and cries of witchcraft from the teenage girls was all a farce. He knew that the girls were lying and accusing people based on their personal judgments, and yet, he let the trials continue.

Is Danforth manipulative?

Bribery and Manipulation John stands his ground, however. When bribery fails, Judge Danforth resorts to manipulation in saying, ''a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between'' and ''no uncorrupted man may fear this court.

What does Governor Danforth represent in The Crucible?

The Crucible. Governor Danforth represents rigidity and an over-adherence to the law in The Crucible. Danforth is clearly an intelligent man, highly respected and successful. He arrives in Salem to oversee the trials of the accused witches with a serene sense of his own ability to judge fairly. The chaos of the trial doesn’t affect his own belief ...

What happens at the end of Salem?

At the end of the play, Salem is falling apart, Abigail has run away, having stolen Parris’s life savings, and many other lives have been ruined yet Danforth still cannot agree that the trials were a sham. He remains firm in his conviction that the condemned should not be executed.

Why doesn't Danforth accept the truth?

Danforth represents the evil of blind certainty in the play: he refuses to accept the truth because to do so would humiliate him. He’d rather see people die. Previous section Elizabeth Proctor Next section Mary Warren.

What does Danforth believe?

Danforth believes in sticking by a principle in spite of all evidence that his belief is wrong.