Act 4 Reader’s Response When I began reading act four of The Crucible, I hadn’t developed strong feelings, positive or negative, about any characters. There were certain people I didn’t necessarily like throughout the first three acts, but there was never a point when I became extremely frustrated with any of them. In this act, that wasn’t the case. Deputy Governor Danforth proved to me as act four progressed that he wasn’t concerned for the people of Salem, he was concerned about not allowing himself, the government or his God look weak. I discovered how his reputation became more important to him than standing up to the hysteria and saving innocent lives. First, Danforth refused to postpone the executions numerous times. He said, “Mr.