Final answer:
The provided excerpts from various stories highlight the themes of survival, fear of death, and existential struggle within different hostile environments, portrayed through rich symbolism and intense personal conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passages provided explore themes of human struggle, fear, and the search for meaning in harsh or oppressive environments. The characters in the stories face both physical and psychological challenges that reveal their deepest fears and desires. For instance, the fear of death is a poignant theme, as it becomes a struggle between survival and the dread of an inevitable end.
Elements such as burning barns, a grey hair in 'A Rose for Emily', and the cold Yukon setting function as symbols that contribute to these deeper themes. The characters grapple with their existence within these settings, confronting their mortality and the meaning of their lives amidst adversity.