The rumor here speaks rebellion in Andover…Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 4. With the witch trials destroying so many lives, Salem has descended into chaos and conflict. Parris expresses his worries to Danforth of riots and rebellion breaking out. Using personification, he says that rumor "speaks" of resistance in Andover and the people throwing out the court. In a food metaphor, he describes how a group of dissenters in Salem is "feeding" on those reports.