Final answer:
Danforth refuses to postpone the hangings in "The Crucible" to assert his authority and power and avoid any implication that the court could be fallible.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "The Crucible," Danforth won't postpone the hangings because he wants to demonstrate his authority and power. He is afraid that postponing the executions would signify a weakness in the court and suggest that the court may have been wrong. This is crucial in maintaining control over the society in the face of the witch trials madness. However, options such as 'because his fame protects him from retribution' or 'because he is challenging socially accepted norms' don't accurately portray Danforth's motivations in the context of the play. Danforth's actions were primarily driven by his desire to uphold the court's decisions as absolute, avoiding any suggestion of error or the overseeing of justice, which could lead to a tarnished reputation and undermined authority.