Final answer:
Lord Garrick's death in Chapter 16 of 'War of the Worlds' symbolically represents the collapse of human institutions and the law amidst the Martian invasion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage regarding Lord Garrick in Chapter 16 of War of the Worlds has substantial symbolic meaning. The fast demise of Lord Garrick, the Chief of Justice, signifies the swift collapse of human institutions and the law in the face of the Martian invasion. This event reflects a larger theme of the novel, which is the vulnerability and fragility of human civilization. Additionally, Lord Garrick's death can be seen as a representation of the end of human governance and the onset of chaos, underscoring the novel's examination of themes such as hubris, survival, and the breakdown of societal structures. The language of the text deliberately emphasizes the stark contrast between the might of human laws and the merciless forces of the universe, embodied by the Martians.