How is Danforth shown to be superior?

How is Danforth shown to be superior?

1. 'Excellency'

   • Hathorne: "Arrest him, excellency!"
     • Shows Danforth to be in a position of power over Hathorne
     • Imperative: Danforth isn't completely in control
   • Giles: 'Your Excellency'
     • More formal, more respect to Danforth

2. 'Enter Deputy Governor Danforth and, behind him...'

   • Shows that he is the most important of the characters entering
   • 'Silence falls'
     • Highly respected, waiting for what he has to say
   • 'Awaits his wrath'
     • His word is final, suggestive of violence

3. Danforth:'Now be gone'

   • Imperative: Danforth takes charge over others
     • Orders aren't actually followed
       • Not as in control as he believes
   • Danforth: [To Herrick] 'Clear this room'
     • Herrick tries to do so showing Danforth is superior

4. Danforth: 'This is the highest court of the supreme government of this province, do you know it?'

   • Rhetorical question: he expects Giles to know what he is talking about without explaining
   • Highest court: most important source of authority in Salem
   • Sarcastic tone: See's himself as superior

5. Danforth: 'What's that?'

   • Wants to find out what is going on
     • Good leadership skill, suggests superiority

6. Danforth: 'I have only good report of your character'

   • He is told about the happenings of Salem
   • Respected as a judge of character
   • Somewhat distant from the town itself
     • Shows more important than general public of Salem

7. 'Danforth is respectfully silent'

   • He doesn't have to be silent but does so to show respect
     • Good leadership qualities suggesting superiority

8. Adjacency pairs answering Danforth

   • He expects an answer to his questions
   • People answer w/out hesitation showing he is in control

9. Standard English

   • Avoids idiolects, suggests that he is educated
     • More intelligent, perhaps, and therefore superior