"Nurse, though our hearts break, we cannot flinch; these are new times, sir. There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court - the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!"(71)
In this quote, Hale is telling Proctor and the others present in the scene that they live in troubled times. Clearly, this is the case in their society at the time. Close friends were constantly being dragged off with accusations of being a witch and such things which are unable to be proven. Also, Hale asserts his belief in witchcraft at this time, saying that everyone must follow where accusations are directed. This is unusual that Hale would speak as if this were almost a normal situation, and possibly at a later time, this idea with come back to bite him. Perhaps his belief in the Devil's presence in Salem will lead him to turn in his own friends, as he stated that long-term friendships were "criminal."
How might Hale turn in should this be the case?
"I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem."(77)
As it seems, there is at least one character who is not a fool of sorts. Proctor is saying in this quote that witchcraft is all a farce, once again. He makes the point that it is concerned with grudges between people developing callously and resulting in one person turning in the other. With that, it is implied that the witchcraft trials are not the work of the devil, it is merely ill sentiments gone wild. Perhaps this idea leaking could result in a widespread realization that there is no real work of the devil present, but merely just trifling amongst the people of Salem. If this idea is adopted by the others, perhaps it is their reasoning that could potentially end these cases of witchcraft for once and for all.
Why might this idea not catch on?
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