the crucible

Water symbolized the "boiling over of emotion," in the girls (cauldron). This comes straight from the story.

On a side note, water was linked to witchcraft in a few different ways. Water was thought to "melt" witches. It was also believed that if you threw someone accused of witchcraft into the water (and weighted down), and they drown it proved their innocence. If they didn't drown they were indeed a witch. I believe most tested by this method were proven innocent............ what do you think?