Importance of water?

The water in "The Drownings" symbolizes death. Traditionally, water is a symbol of life or purity. The author subverts this representation in order to explore the characters' relationships with fear and desire. Though water is the very element that constantly causes the townspeople loss, they do not stop swimming. Rather they taunt death, by plunging perpetually into the water, attempting to face their fears with bravery and boldness.