In Jeannette Walls' memoir "The Glass Castle," she describes a tumultuous internal struggle where positive thoughts are often overwhelmed by pervasive negativity. This duality of thought reflects the chaos of her upbringing and the impact it has on her mental state. The imagery of crows emphasizes the weight of these negative feelings, as they engulf her surroundings and create an atmosphere of foreboding.

This metaphor illustrates how intrusive negative thoughts can be, likening them to a dark cloud that descends unexpectedly, overshadowing any light or hope. Walls’ depiction of this mental turmoil serves to highlight the ongoing battle between optimism and despair, a theme that resonates throughout her journey of resilience and survival despite the challenges she faced in her childhood.