In this passage from Eudora Welty's "The Collected Stories," a transformation occurs as the light alters the appearance of the water, creating an almost enchanting atmosphere in the woods. The rising wind animates the trees, making them appear to reach inward, leading to a dramatic shift from brightness to darkness.
As the weather changes, heavy rain falls, and the scene takes on a more intense mood. The imagery of a huge tail swishing through the air suggests chaos, while the river's appearance is vividly depicted as breaking into a silver wound, emphasizing both beauty and turmoil in nature.