Final answer:
The outside world in contrast to the couple in the goldsmith's is portrayed through contrasting imagery in literature and visual arts that range from the vibrant nature and transformative forces to the static and opulent depictions of wealth inside the goldsmith's. Authors and artists use these contrasts to emphasize different themes and emotional states, from adventure and intimacy to isolation and societal conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The outside world in contrast to the couple in the goldsmith's shows a diversity of depictions, ranging from the vibrancy of nature to the opulence of imperial mosaics. Imagery plays a significant role in illustrating the distinction between the vivid golds and luxurious items inside the goldsmith's domain and the varied representations of nature and society at large.
Notably, the excerpts present contrasting elements such as the dynamic fire beyond the woods, reflective of a transformative and perhaps destructive force, contrasted against the static gleaming of gold, which symbolizes wealth and opulence. There is a clear separation between the natural and the crafted, the active and the passive.
Furthermore, different authors capture this dichotomy by emphasizing different aspects of the world. For example, Defoe, Austen, and Hardy focus on their unique settings and themes, from the adventurous outdoors to the intimate drawing-room and the vast moors, respectively.
Each author carefully constructs their narrative worlds, providing readers with distinct realities firmly rooted either in society or in nature. Likewise, the comparison between vibrant scenes in paintings and the naturalistic depiction of David as a shepherd demonstrates a conscious effort to align subject and style, whether through resplendent backgrounds or a more natural, realistic approach.
In visual arts, the distinction is evident in the use of color and light to either bring a scene to life, as seen in the flooding light of dawn, or to convey isolation and alienation, as depicted in the dark, empty windows of late-night settings. These contrasting imageries highlight different emotional states and societal conditions, reinforcing the division between the internal realm of human experience and the external world.