Final answer:
Based on the described motifs in the passages provided, such as the rustling leaves, murmuring winds, and melancholic atmosphere, the word that best describes the third movement of 'Autumn' is 'Dying' (option c). This choice reflects the inevitable winding down of life in preparation for winter, as conveyed through the various literary elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Which word best describes the third movement of 'Autumn'?" asks for an adjective that effectively captures the essence of the movement in question. This seems to refer to a piece of music or literature that embodies the feeling of the season of autumn. The passages provided paint a vivid picture using various descriptive motifs; they evoke a sense of melancholy, tranquility, and an intimate connection with nature's gentle yet persistent changes during autumnal twilight. The recurring motifs include rustling leaves, murmuring winds, and solitary birds, which create an ambiance that is neither fully dreamy, stately, nor inaudible but perhaps best captured by the concept of a fading or 'dying' season, as life winds down in preparation for winter.
The descriptions embedded in these selected passages consistently emphasize an ebbing vitality and a serene surrender to the inevitable cycles of nature. Specifically, the mention of leaves fluttering and water murmuring along with the lonely calls of canyon birds and the musings about death in the poetry invoke the dying aspect most profoundly. Therefore, in consideration of the atmosphere suggested by these literary snippets, the most appropriate adjective from the listed options would seem to be 'c) Dying'. This word encapsulates the slow, graceful, and inevitable decline associated with autumn, as captured by the vivid nature imagery in the passages.