Final answer:
The literary excerpts center on the themes of aerial adventures and air travel, illustrating the dangers, excitement, and technological aspects of flying as a powerful narrative device.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts provided are from various literary works, and they all share a common theme of aerial adventures and air travel. These passages contain vivid descriptions of flying, from the peaceful gliding of a powerless plane to the tension of a potential crash, as well as the drama and exhilaration that comes with it. The stories highlight the sense of imminent danger and uncertainty associated with flying, as well as the use of airplanes as a thematic element to convey action and suspense in the narrative.
One example is the depiction of a plane gliding without engine power, capturing the tense moment when the characters are unsure if they will safely reach their destination. This contrasts with scenes describing the viewing of a battle from a rooftop garden, or the sense of urgency when characters must flee from danger, constantly feeling the threat from above.
These passages explore the many dimensions of human experience in relation to the technology of flight and air travel, serving as a powerful literary device to propel the plot and develop the characters' experiences.