Final answer:
The subject of the question is English literature, focusing on themes of change, adversity, and resilience depicted in narrative passages. The passage suggests a hopeful vision of life's challenges culminating in a return to a stable state or an improvement over the initial circumstances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage in question reflects on the philosophical and existential themes typically found in English literature. It deals with the dynamics of change, the inevitable progression from adversity to a return to a former state, or an ascent to an improved condition. The ebb and flow of fortunes and the overarching theme of resilience in the face of adversity are central to the understanding of this passage.
Furthermore, the notion that 'Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward to what they were before' suggests a cyclical or hopeful vision of life's trajectory, which touches upon literary concepts such as the natural order, climax, and resolution in narratives. These concepts are evident in the provided examples, where characters experience a 'falling action' following a climax and show strength in moments of crisis, thereby often finding that the 'worst is over' as new understandings or resolutions are reached.
Such literary exploration is significant in the realm of English studies, where texts often serve as a mirror to human experiences, revealing insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of our existence.