The Heretic's Daughter

Margaret gives Sarah a precise definition of the meaning of “heretic” when she tells her about Quakers. Given this context, why do you think the author chose to title the book The Heretic’s Daughter rather than “The Witch’s Daughter?”

Sarah’s opinion of her mother transforms over the course of the novel. Describe her attitude as a nine-year-old. How does it change by the time she’s in her fifties? Use textual evidence to illustrate this transformation.

Compare the written history that Sarah maintains about the Salem witch trials with the written history that the town itself maintains. How do they differ? What attitude toward the trials motivates the actions of each?