Final answer:
The provided excerpts demonstrate various themes in literature such as the societal roles of individuals, the intricacies of personal experience, and the significance of memory and humor in human life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts provided allude to themes and scenarios common in literature, such as the role of women in society, the perception of firefighters, and the importance of seemingly insignificant details in storytelling.
These narratives explore human emotions, societal roles, and character development.
In all of these narratives, there is a focus on the personal aspects and experiences of the characters involved, whether it be a firefighter's surprise gender revelation, a husband sharing information from a police report with his wife, or women's reactions to a male-dominated investigation.
The texts emphasize the complexity of life and the various elements that can be significant or trivial, depending on the perspective.
It's also noteworthy that one of the excerpts mentions a quilt being saved from destruction alongside old books and papers, reflecting the broader theme of preserving history and memory.
Another excerpt highlights a man's meditative pause over a lock of hair and a faded bunch of flowers, invoking a sense of nostalgia and loss.
Lastly, a comical play script element portrays the need for light-heartedness and laughter in face of the banal or challenging aspects of life.