The Witch
The Witch herself is a representation of all those that are shunned by society. She has been made a victim of the narrow-minded community she belongs to. Her unusual practices ignite a fear of the unknown, and label her as a witch.
Gold and Diamonds
Though one would assume the Witch would be poor, she is said to have a “shedload of gold” and a “diamond ring that no one had ever seen…but that was said to hold a stone so big it looked fake”. Perhaps the reason why society despises her is because of the wealth she has despite her unconventional ways.
Potion-making
Melchor states, “the herbs that the Witch boiled up into an odourless, colourless poison” were found in a graveyard of the first dwellers. This draws images of the graveyard being a cursed place, and as such, would explain why the Witch's step-sons were convinced she was capable of poisoning her husband.