Question

When hale appears at the proctors' door in act ii of the crucible, he is described as "different now—drawn a little, and there is a quality of deference, even of guilt, about his manner now." what internal conflict accounts for this change?

Answer 1

This visit to the proctor by Hale occurs after the events that transpired in the town of Salem. Hale feels immense guilt for allowing events to get out of hand in Salem. It is this conflict which gives him a more demure outward persona.