Final answer:
The theme of 'Survival depends on determination when companionship is gone' resonates across the provided excerpts, highlighting the individual's need for self-reliance and perseverance in the face of solitude and the unreliability of societal support. Option D is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to identify a major theme present in various passages. When reviewing the excerpts provided, the theme that resonates through most is the exploration of the individual's relationship with society, the theme of solitude and dependence on oneself. The passages discuss the individual in situations of grief, solitude, social conflict, and the need for self-reliance.
The correct option that best captures a major theme across the presented excerpts is option D: Survival depends on determination when companionship is gone. This choice is validated by the recurring idea that individuals must continue to persist despite the absence or unreliability of external support from friends or society. With themes of independence, determination, and the challenges of social reliance showcased in the excerpts, the importance of individual perseverance becomes prominent.
Words from Confucius and the analysis of Mark Twain's conflict reinforce the notion that individuals often must rely on their own knowledge and abilities, as external circumstances and the cooperation of others can prove to be uncertain. This idea is further reflected in the quotes that explore the difficulties and limitations of depending on others for one's happiness or for a sense of safety in one's journey. The passages suggest that companions may be present at the start of life's metaphorical journeys but tend to fall away when the end approaches, leaving the individual to navigate their final paths alone.