In numerous ways Bennett describes the darkness of Jude. Desiree wanted Jude to embrace that so when she was little, "Bright colors looked vulgar against dark skin, everyone said, but she refused to hide her daughter in drab olive greens or grays" (Bennett 40). Because of her skin color, she never fit in at school or in the town. People were always staring at her because she was so much different than them, color wise.