Over the sky a plump black cloud moved, erasing the stars. The fat drops of rain scattered down, splashing loudly on the fallen leaves, and the cloud moved on and unveiled the stars again.
– John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 28. Color imagery is used here by Steinbeck, as a black cloud moves across the sky, suggesting darkness and loneliness ahead. The passage foreshadows a Joad family break-up, when Ma urges Tom to leave after Ruthie tells children he is hiding because he killed a man. Ruthie’s careless words are a setback to Ma’s hopes for family unity.