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Abuse Of Authority In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

969 Words4 Pages

Henceforth, few regulations enjoined by superior authority were acknowledged in small areas like Salem, Massachusetts. Danforth proclaims “And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?... And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?” (Page 87). Danforth, apparently, derived pride and a sense of condescension from condemnation and punishment. Deputy Governor Danforth was entrusted by the people of Massachusetts (and higher authority) to manage the Salem witch delusion with prudence and rationality. He, rather, handled the peculiar predicament with profound abuse of power, although such a popular and experienced judge was expected to expunge the rampant hysteria. Francis Nurse …show more content…

Vacuous Danforth replies to Abigail’s expression of “hurt” feelings: “weakening: Child, I do not mistrust you-” (Page 108). Subsequently, Danforth’s stupidity and “weakness” resulted in the horrific death of more than 20 innocent humans. As a result, trust was betrayed, justice was mocked and the essence of decency became obscure. The events projected in The Crucible represent the epitome of human nature without rational restrictions. The society’s absence of sensual morality and promotion of mobocracy was, in part, to blame for the wicked witch trials. Most importantly, government authority possessed great culpability in the Massachusetts murders and was the entity that should have quickly extinguished the propagation of the illogical allegations and trials. The entity that was expected to uphold the “law” was pathetically exploited and …show more content…

Moreover, an effective approach to expelling these threats from American courts is the unanimous espousal of an equitable system of “due process”. Because “due process”, the permanent legal concept enforcing impartial treatment through the judicial system, has indeed been adopted and established as an inalienable right in the United States of America, instances where theocracy and abuse of power were present have been mollified quickly. The Crucible was illuminating in respect to the significance of due process of law. The play represents a real period of time where one can analyze and truly picture a world without contemporary implementations of due process of law. “I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!... I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil!... I saw Martha Bellows with the Devil!... I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil!... I saw Alice Barrow with the Devil!... I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil! I saw Goody Bibber with the Devil! I saw Goody Booth with the Devil!” The absurd cries of young, simpleton girls ignited a series of potentially deadly trials that would soon prove to end fatally for over 20 accused victims. The fact that absurd, superstitious accusations were considered to be sufficient evidence to condemn a victim defines the very contrast of due process.

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