Final answer:
The excerpts depict scenes of maritime distress and the struggle between life and death, centering on ship captains and helmsmen. Reflections on leadership, loss, and the inevitable confrontation with mortality are vividly portrayed through metaphor and descriptive imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts provided involve vivid imagery and metaphors connected to the theme of death and the sea, primarily revolving around a ship's captain, the helmsman, and the grim circumstances they face during times of crisis. Reflecting themes commonly found in war and maritime literature, the texts explore the relationship between humanity and the unforgiving nature of the sea, as well as the impact of war. Notably, death and somber reflections pervade these excerpts, with descriptions that create a strong emotional response in the reader.
A recurring image is that of ship captains facing despair and demise, as exemplified by the captain who gives orders with a countenance "white as a sheet" and the one who lies "Fallen cold and dead." These moments capture the solitude often associated with command and the heavy burden of leadership during catastrophe. Another powerful image is the helmsman, who stands as a symbol for navigation and control amidst chaos. In contrast, the metaphor of the locomotive driver illustrates the evolution of transportation and progress, despite the lack of flexibility in choosing one's path compared to a ship's helmsman.