The Salem Witch Trials in Literature

                      I've always loved historical fiction because I can use what I already know about a subject and apply it to a story, understanding it on a deeper level. However, two stories of the same period of history will often have different takes on how history really went around, at least in their story. The most noticeable case of this is fictional literature concerning the Salem Witch Trials.  There is a monumental difference between even two pieces on the Salem Trials. Stephanie Hemphill's "Wicked Girls" and Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" could not be more different. Though both about the trials, the two stories share little more. Miller insists Abigail was actually having an affair with John Proctor. Hemphill classifies Abigail as a twelve year old child. Hemphill also believes Anne looked up to her servant, beautiful Mercy. Miller described Mercy Lewis as fat and sly. How and why do these two stories differ so much? Over the next month or so, I'm going to try my best to answer that question.