Final answer:
The literary excerpts given focus on themes of change and identity over time, presenting characters who struggle with recognition and transformation that challenge their sense of self and others' perceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts provided are from various literary works that explore themes of change, recognition, and the impact of time on individuals. These narratives reflect characters grappling with changes in their physical appearance, societal status, and personal identity over time. The struggle of time's passing and the resultant transformation are central themes connecting these disparate accounts.
From the remorse of a convict to the distress of a young woman whose haircut strips away her perceived charm, all characters are linked by a critical examination of their changed selves and the perception of those who surround them. The characters confront the harsh realities of judgment, aging, personal evolution and, at times, societal prejudice.
Such literary explorations delve deep into human emotion and the psychological impact of life's transitions, offering readers a profound understanding of the human condition and the progression of life's inexorable march forward.