Final answer:
The phrase conveys a shift from awe to a sense of cold, combining physical and emotional elements to enhance literary imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "slowly the cold seeped into the awe" suggests a gradual transition where the initial shock or amazement (awe) is being infiltrated and overcome by an encroaching sense of cold. This could be interpreted both physically, as in the sensation of cold creeping over someone, or emotionally, as in a cooling of enthusiasm or emotion. In literature, this type of phrase often uses sensory description to create a vivid impression on the reader, a technique seen in the examples provided where coldness is used in both a literal and figurative sense.
The blend of sensory detail can engage readers, as Helen Keller's account does, or carry metaphoric weight, coloring the narrative with layers of meaning about the cold's impact on the human spirit, as illustrated through the experiences of characters facing literal frost or the metaphorical chill of life's challenges.