Final answer:
The provided excerpts from English literature center around the themes of nature, animals, and their interactions with humans. They demonstrate various literary elements such as mood, character development, and thematic depth through the portrayal of living creatures within storytelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passages provided from various texts all pertain to English literature, specifically focusing on themes of nature and animal interaction.
From a long green snake that is surprisingly tame to the tragic scene of a dead unicorn in a magical setting, each snippet offers a vignette into the relationship between humans and animals, as well as how these creatures are incorporated into literary narratives.
Furthermore, the excerpts explore the concept of fear and curiosity in the face of the natural world, as depicted in the context of frogs, toads, newts, and even a frog discovered to be weighted with shot. In addition, the textual examples reference the use of creatures, such as lice and fertilizer-connected smells, in the development of characters and plot within stories.
In conclusion, these selections portray various literary techniques used to describe and integrate animals into storytelling, demonstrating aspects of characterization, mood-setting, and thematic development. The interaction between humans and animals serves as a significant element in the creation of compelling literary components.