Final answer:
The provided excerpts from various texts illustrate different characters' reactions to fear, offering insight into how fear can influence behavior in literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts you provided contain a common theme of fear that is prevalent through different situations. The characters in these excerpts display a variety of responses to fear, such as avoidance, confrontation, and panic. In the first excerpt, Wadsworth's slamming of a door signifies a sudden action possibly due to fear, similar to reactions in the other scenarios where characters face uncertain and frightening circumstances, often leading to a heightened sense of panic and urgency. By examining these responses, one can gain insight into the different ways that fear manifests itself and influences behavior in literature.