Question

After Danforth receives Mary's deposition, he repeatedly asks if Mr. Proctor has threatened her for this deposition. What can we infer from this about Danforth?

A) That he wants her confession to be a lie, so the court can continue, and he won't look a fool.
B) That he hates Proctor and wants to make a fool of him.
C) That he genuinely wants to hear the truth and is worried Proctor has threatened her.
D) That he is very thorough, extensively testing all evidence brought before him.

Answer 1

Danforth's repeated questioning of Mary Warren after receiving her deposition implies he is conducting a thorough examination of the evidence, resonating with option D that emphasizes his focus on the integrity of the legal proceedings.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Danforth repeatedly asks if Mr. Proctor has threatened Mary Warren after receiving her deposition, we can infer that Danforth is very thorough and wants to ensure that the evidence presented is the absolute truth, which would align with option D: 'That he is very thorough, extensively testing all evidence brought before him'.

This inference is based on the nature of the court proceedings and the fact that any deposition can significantly affect the outcome of a trial. Therefore, the integrity of such testimony must be beyond reproach in order to maintain the legitimacy of the legal process.

Danforth's questioning can also suggest that he is in a position where being comprehensive is crucial, given the high stakes of the accusations of witchcraft in 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller.