Final answer:
The excerpts depict characters in moments of transition towards sleep, highlighting themes of solitude, reflection, and nightly routines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common theme in the provided excerpts is the depiction of characters engaged in activities before sleeping or resting, often leading to moments of transition, reflection, or significant change. These narratives focus on moments of solitude, contemplation, and the nightly routines that prepare characters for rest or signify the passage of time as they transition into sleep.
Whether it's the abrupt realization of a dream, the comfort of old habits, or the quiet observation of the moon's path, each excerpt captures the solitude and stillness of night and the intimacy of personal moments just before or after sleep.