Final answer:
Elizabeth and John Proctor struggle to answer Hale's question about witches due to the dangers of contradicting Puritan beliefs in a society engulfed by witchcraft hysteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elizabeth and John Proctor's struggle to answer Rev. Hale's question about their belief in witches in Arthur Miller's The Crucible stems from the complex interplay of personal integrity, religious belief, and societal pressure prevalent in Salem at the time. They are cautious in their response because openly doubting the existence of witches would directly contradict the pervasive Puritan belief system and could be considered heretical, thereby endangering themselves. The behavior of the girls in Salem and the influence of figures like Cotton Mather reinforced the belief in supernatural evil, making any skepticism dangerous. Moreover, they are aware of the tense social and political climate, where accusations of witchcraft are a means of settling personal vendettas and expressing communal fears. This atmosphere of distrust and hysteria complicates straightforward responses to questions about belief in witchcraft.