Why does reverend hale change his story about witchcraft?

Answer 1

Hale has just witnessed the confession of Mary Warren that the girls are faking their symptoms of witchcraft and the aftermath of that confession. Abigail and the other girls turn against Mary and,to maintain Mary's credibility, John Proctor admits to his adultery with Abigail. Hale believes Proctor, but Danforth brings in Elizabeth Proctor to confirm the story. Danforth won't allow Elizabeth to look at John when he asks her about the alleged affair between Abigial and her husband. Since Elizabeth wants to protect her husband, she denies there was an affair, thus casting doubt on both John's allegations and Mary Warren's testimony. Danforth has Proctor lead to jail. This infuriates Rev. Hale, who has become fed up with the entire process. He sees Danforth as a man protecting the court and his own reputation rather than seeking the truth about possible witches in Salem. So, Hale leaves the court after he criticizes the methods the court has used in coming to its conclusions.