Final answer:
The passage sets up tension and conflict through the mysterious setting, the protagonist's lack of imagination, and the contrast between his limited understanding and the deeper significance of the cold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parts of the passage that help set up the tension and conflict are:
- The mention of the mysterious and strange elements in the setting, such as the far-reaching hairline trail, the absence of sun from the sky, and the tremendous cold.
- The introduction of the protagonist as a newcomer in the land, lacking imagination and unable to comprehend the significance of the extreme cold.
- The contrast between the man's limited understanding of the cold as just being uncomfortable, and the potential deeper philosophical and existential questions it could raise.