Final answer:
The man on the floating house is strange because of his unexpected presence and behavior in an unusual setting. This mirrors themes across different stories where characters find themselves in surreal circumstances, evoking curiosity and questioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The man on the floating house is peculiar because of his odd circumstances and behavior, which are unexpected and not typical. From the various excerpts, it becomes evident that each character described is in an unusual or inexplicable situation, from men absurdly long in appearance to an individual spontaneously expressing cheerfulness despite grim prospects.
The context of these scenes suggests that the characters are part of stories where strange and surreal elements are framing their existence.
One particularly striking image is that of Isamu Noguchi's sculpture 'Floating Woman', which can be metaphorically linked to the man on the floating house due to its intended effect of defying gravity and creating an illusion of suspension and weightlessness. Similarly, the man on the floating house appears to be in defiance of his natural environment and situation, generating an image that evokes wonder and curiosity.
The combination of these surreal elements contributes to a theme of strangeness and unexpectedness, reflecting perhaps on the human condition and the odd scenarios people can find themselves in. Whether it is through physical manifestations or abstract, psychological experiences, the strangeness of the man on the floating house is a literary device meant to stir the reader's intrigue and draw them into questioning the deeper meaning behind these anomalies.