Final answer:
The excerpts pertain to a historical narrative set during a period of traditional warfare, describing a character's struggle for survival amid intense combat. Descriptive language immerses the reader in the protagonist's harrowing ordeals, using sensory details to heighten the realism of their experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts provided are from a narrative that describes intense scenes of action, presumably from a war or battle context. The passages convey a vivid sense of danger, physical experiences, and emotional responses to life-threatening situations. Mention of gunfire, cannon shots, and grapeshot indicate a historical setting where traditional warfare is taking place.
Phrases such as 'the cannon had taken a hand in the game' and 'dodge a volley' suggest a protagonist who is actively trying to evade attacks and imminent death. The narrative perspective engrosses the reader in the immediate jeopardy the character faces and their desperate attempts at survival and escape.
The writing style is descriptive and immersive, using sensory details to create an intense, palpable atmosphere. The use of onomatopoeic words like 'plash', 'hiss', and 'whiz' adds to the realism of the scenes depicted. The mention of physical sensations and psychological experiences, such as being 'blinded' and 'strangled' by water or feeling 'giddy and sick' due to rapid motion, brings depth to the character's plight. This level of detail is characteristic of literature that aims to invoke the reader's empathy and place them in the midst of the action.