How Does Arthur Miller Present Reality In The Crucible

Though they are often confused, perception and reality are two very different things. Making a judgement or perception of a situation does not always mean that the perception accurately depicts reality. In misperceiving reality we can often be led to misfortune and disappointment, contrarily accurate perceptions of reality can lead to happiness. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the theme that those who fail to perceive reality experience misfortune; conversely those who successfully perceive reality will be compensated is developed. This theme is very apparent in various characters but most precisely depicted through the words and actions of characters John Proctor, Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor. These individuals each experience either

After many long days in jail, as his execution date approaches, John finally confesses to witchcraft in an attempt to save his own life. The judge of the court, Danforth, insists that his signed confession be hung on the door to the church. Due to the fact that lying goes against John’s religious beliefs, he fears that in signing to a falsely fabricated confession he will actually suffer more than if he is hanged. He is also a firm believer in keeping his name clean and wishes not to ruin his name. In this situation John perceives that it is important to stay true to your heart and to your beliefs. He wants to remain a good man:
“I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs…” (pg

She successfully perceives that she is in the early stages of pregnancy and that this baby may indeed be capable of keeping her alive, at least for a little while longer:
“…your wife send me a claim in which she states that she is pregnant now./ …if I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month; and if she begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year until she is delivered….” (pg 85)
By making this successful perception, Elizabeth was able to save herself from execution, in doing this she gets to live with her new baby as well as her other children. Elizabeth’s unsuccessful perceptions of reality lead her to hardship, while her successful perceptions lead her to success and happiness.

The witch trials in Salem 1692 was a time of immense tragedy, where the accuracy of one’s perceptions could create many problems, some of which led to death. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller develops the theme that those who fail to perceive reality experience misfortune; conversely those who successfully perceive reality will be compensated. This theme is exhibited through the fortunes and misfortunes of characters John Proctor, Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor. The importance of perception of reality is stressed throughout this play. Any time you are put in a situation where you must make a perception of reality, the outcome