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Throughout the play, the mood is one of impending doom in the face of rampant superstition and increasing hysteria in the Salem society. Almost every character in the play is looked upon with suspicion by his or her neighbor. The good people are punished while the evil triumph. The audience or reader presumably knows the outcome of the witch trials before they begin in the play and can only watch helplessly as events unfold. Even the final victory of good at the end involves the unnecessary sacrifice of a life. When Proctor tears up his confession and goes to his death, Hale realizes the evil he has done. Some balance is restored to Salem, but only after much needless suffering and destruction. Deputy Governor Dansforth - Deputy Governor of Massachusetts who believes the testimony of the girls despite evidence to thecourt. He works more to keep the reputation of the court than to seek justice.