Final answer:
The texts explore themes of ambition and success, with characters striving for a greater cultural impact but often facing societal constraints and personal dissatisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characters in the provided excerpts grapple with the pursuit of ambition and the meaning of success in their respective lives. The young man with high aspirations but no means or opportunity is a common theme, capturing the essence of foolish ambition and a life constrained by societal limitations.
Meanwhile, F. Scott Fitzgerald, in "The Crack-Up," reflects on his life during the 1920s, highlighting the interplay between personal regrets, societal expectations, and the veneer of success during a time of both liberation and disillusionment. His personal narrative from that era exhibits a balance between romanticizing his independence and acknowledging his dissatisfaction within the craft of writing. Across these texts, the individuals strive for a significance beyond their immediate circumstances, wishing to contribute to a larger cultural legacy, but often find themselves hampered by the harsh realities of life.