Final answer:
The question explores themes of cruelty, power, and the struggle against physical and emotional limitations portrayed in various literary texts. Characters are shown exerting control, inflicting or experiencing violence, and grappling with their own incapacities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the passages provided, the subject in question seems to be the description of various forms of cruelty, power struggle, and violence found within literary texts. The excerpts showcase characters exerting control or experiencing pain, whether through physical abuse, mental torment, or struggling with their own limitations.
The first excerpt describes a master's cruelty towards his slaves, particularly a young woman who, because of her injuries and helpless state, endures continuous beating and mistreatment. Similarly, the second excerpt depicts the use of force and physical punishment on a helpless elderly man by investigators. In another scenario, a man's loss of control over his hands due to freezing is detailed, illustrating a struggle against nature's cruelty and his own physical limitations.
An additional passage cites a man mustering control over his emotions while working on a dental procedure, indicating an internal battle to maintain composure and dominance over his primal reactions. Lastly, one paragraph explores a man's remorse and inner conflict after causing harm to another person, highlighting an ethical and emotional struggle.
The common theme across these excerpts includes a confrontation with power, control, and the resultant impact on the physical and psychological status of individuals.