Final answer:
This question pertains to the narrative elements within a literary text, focusing on sensations, experiences, and themes conveyed through English language descriptions. It requires analysis of the provided excerpts, presumably from stories or novels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question provided is from a text that requires understanding and analysis of the English language, particularly in the context of literature.
The scenes described make it evident that the text is narrative in nature, providing vivid descriptions of experiences and sensations, such as the feel of water, acts like diving, and environmental elements comprising things like splashes, noise, and sensations of cold.
The pieces provided suggest a thematic focus on human experiences and perceptions within various circumstances, from military actions, such as the sound of gunfire described as "dulled thunder of the volley," to everyday leisure activities represented by characters reaching for balls late or being conscious of their social standing.