Essay Sample on Judge Danforth in The Crucible

In order to sustain his authority Danforth implements vivid imagery, repetition, and intense figurative language to discredit the claims of those testifying in court.

Danforth employs figurative language to help put these solid images in the court's mind that he is in control. When questioning John, Danforth employs his power by emphasizing commentary of “...hot fire…” and “...melts down all concealment…” which makes his authority seem more maintained, foreshadowing uneasy imagery and metaphoric language (Miller 82-83). Danforth brought tension to the people in the courtroom as he continued to question John. In order to keep the audience engaged and uneasy, he expresses the importance of telling the truth, hopefully, later forcing John to admit his affair. Therefore, Danforth manipulates this language to make sure that his power and authority remains at the top.

Danforth emphasizes repetition in order to maintain or keep his authority over the court and his dominance over Salem. Danforth continues to question Proctor and highlights the importance of him telling the truth. He wants John to admit to having an affair, but the only way for that to happen is to target him with authoritative language. Danforth asserts,“... I shall hear you or not... my duty to tell you this...I judge you not…” attacking John (Miller 82-83). In order to get the truth out of him, Danorth repeatedly emphasizes the word”...you…” to stress that he is talking to and only to John Proctor. By stressing this word, it employs his importance (Miller 82). Consequently, the stress would express his power and authority to the courtroom.

Lastly, by Danforth being the Deputy Governor of Salem it already puts his position high in the court, so when he takes advantage of this it puts him at an even higher ranking.  In act three, he utilizes his power very effectively while maintaining his authority over the people of Salem. During this Francis Nurse is questioning the girls claiming that they are a fraud, but he has no proof of this matter. Danforth appeals to authority by assertively asking the nurse,“Do you know who I am, Mrs. Nurse… And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails...upon my signature?”(Miller 81). Thus, Danforth's manipulative questioning implies that the girl's claim was indeed correct, overpowering others. 

To convey to Salem that Danforth has the most authority, Miller displays powerful figurative language, repetition, and imagery in order to discredit claims of others.