An earth hard as iron lay locked beneath a sky whose mottled clouds spit snow like ashes sucked up a chimney and then dispersed with the smoke.
The quote describes a harsh and cold earth, likened to iron, suggesting an unyielding and frozen landscape. The imagery of mottled clouds conveys a sense of turmoil in the sky, where snow falls resembling ashes, creating a vivid picture of a wintry scene. This portrayal sets a tone of bleakness and desolation, emphasizing the oppressive atmosphere.
In the context of "The Witches of Eastwick," this description serves to enhance the story's...