The primary purpose of a government should be to protect and serve its people, right? Not always. Consider this; what if the government 's top priority is really itself? In Arthur Miller 's The Crucible, the government turns selfish, exhibits corruption, argues evidence, and becomes unfair to its people. Governments become corrupt and unfair as they move away from the best interest of the people to preserve their own reputation as seen through the actions of Reverend Parris and Judge Danforth. One example of government only looking to preserve its reputation is exhibited in Act I when Parris attempts to save face. Reverend Parris is the minister of Salem 's church and has been for a short time. The central body of authority in this community
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Judge Danforth serves as the deputy governor of Massachusetts and the presiding judge during the Salem witch trials. In his mind, he believes the situation has been handled properly. However, Danforth lays at the root of the crooked nature of the court. Proctors wife has been taken to jail under the false accusation of witchcraft and will be hanged. Certain of her innocence, Proctor confronts Danforth about his wife and demands her release. Although Proctor has presented evidence, Danforth refuses to free his wife. Danforth knows it would make him look foolish if he did so. In an attempt to refute Proctor, Danforth bolsters "Let me continue. I understand well, a husband’s tenderness may drive him to extravagance in defense of a wife. Are you certain in your conscience, Mister, that your evidence is the truth?" (III.183-186). Danforth does not want Proctors claim to be true. If Proctors evidence of his wife 's innocence proves to be correct, Danforth 's reputation would be compromised while the death warrants he has already signed would be questioned. In fear of this happening, Danforth begins to bribe Proctor with a promise. Danforth claims "We have thought it too convenient to be credited. However, if I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month; and if she begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year until she is delivered—what say you to that? Come now. You say your only purpose is to save your wife. Good, then, she is saved at least this year, and a year is long. What say you, sir? It is done now. Will you drop this charge?" (III.267-276). He promises Proctor that his wife will be safe for a year if he drops the charge. Bribing him with the safety of his wife, Danforth gives Proctor this choice only to keep Proctor from exposing him. Danforth argues the evidence presented to him and uses bribery to save his own
Judge Danforth serves as the deputy governor of Massachusetts and the presiding judge during the Salem witch trials. In his mind, he believes the situation has been handled properly. However, Danforth lays at the root of the crooked nature of the court. Proctors wife has been taken to jail under the false accusation of witchcraft and will be hanged. Certain of her innocence, Proctor confronts Danforth about his wife and demands her release. Although Proctor has presented evidence, Danforth refuses to free his wife. Danforth knows it would make him look foolish if he did so. In an attempt to refute Proctor, Danforth bolsters "Let me continue. I understand well, a husband’s tenderness may drive him to extravagance in defense of a wife. Are you certain in your conscience, Mister, that your evidence is the truth?" (III.183-186). Danforth does not want Proctors claim to be true. If Proctors evidence of his wife 's innocence proves to be correct, Danforth 's reputation would be compromised while the death warrants he has already signed would be questioned. In fear of this happening, Danforth begins to bribe Proctor with a promise. Danforth claims "We have thought it too convenient to be credited. However, if I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month; and if she begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year until she is delivered—what say you to that? Come now. You say your only purpose is to save your wife. Good, then, she is saved at least this year, and a year is long. What say you, sir? It is done now. Will you drop this charge?" (III.267-276). He promises Proctor that his wife will be safe for a year if he drops the charge. Bribing him with the safety of his wife, Danforth gives Proctor this choice only to keep Proctor from exposing him. Danforth argues the evidence presented to him and uses bribery to save his own