In "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry, the imagery of lightning illuminating the prairie serves as a powerful metaphor. When a bolt of lightning strikes, the surrounding landscape is momentarily transformed, enveloping everything in a stark, white brilliance. This moment of illumination highlights the beauty and intensity of nature, evoking a sense of awe and wonder.

Such vivid descriptions emphasize the contrasts present in the story, reflecting both the harshness and the beauty of life on the frontier. The fleeting nature of the lightning's light mirrors the transient moments of clarity and understanding in the characters' lives, underscoring the themes of fleeting moments and the stark realities of their existence.