e negative effects that can send a degrading situation further downhill. The Deputy Governor of the town, Danforth, is a man of immense power and authority. Few people dare to oppose him, and he is usually on the correct end of a debate. And even when his opinion is contradicted by several townsfolk who happen to know the truth, he feels his judgement is correct and his authority should not be questioned. Despite the importance of the situation, he simply rejects any suggestions and requests could delay or abolish his decisions. The beginning of Act Four shows that he would rather add to a profitless death toll than to admit his mistake. In the examples of Giles Corey and John Proctor, these men feel that the names and reputations of themselves and others hold more importance than even their lives. When pressed and questioned about his involvement in the witchcraft incident, Giles decides to answer neither aye nor nay in order to protect his own name and his children. When Proctor is requested to sign his confession to witchcraft, he claims I have three children--how may I teach them to walk like men, and I have sold my friends? -- Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence! (143) He believes that by signing his confession and leaving it open to any interpretation, the names and even lives of his family and friends will be left in jeopardy. Therefore with his own sacrifice, he sets a precedent for the entire town to admire and follow. The determination of these brave men, much different than that of Danforth and most others, shows that in fact, ones ambition can drive the individual to forfeit anything for the benefit of themselves and others.Greed, acquisitive or selfish desire beyond reason, unlike most other human qualities, is never able to produce positive effects. It has adulterated the souls of many citizens in the Ou 4town, and is finally given an oppo...
