Final answer:
The town is ready to mimic Andover due to fear of repercussions from the witch trials and to avoid further irrational persecution.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Hale, the town is ready to mimic Andover due to fear of repercussions. The town of Salem and its surroundings, embroiled in witchcraft hysteria, witnessed the dangerous consequences of being accused and the subsequent executions. As Andover rejected the trials and chose to release those who had been accused, other towns, recognizing the shifting perspective on spectral evidence and influenced by the elite's skepticism and criticism of the trials, may have been eager to follow in Andover's footsteps to avoid further irrational persecution and maintain social stability.