Final answer:
The passages deal with the thematic complexities of wealth, worth, and economic morality in literature. Specified characters exhibit intense emotional reactions to material gain and the idea of value, whether that's through monetary terms or in the darker context of the value of a life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts provided seem to be from various works of literature that explore themes involving the value of a life, monetary worth, and economic morality. The mention of Tobias and Zechariah without further context or a specific dollar amount linked to their actions makes it difficult to provide a direct answer regarding Tobias' acquisition or Zechariah's intent. Instead, the narrative passages provide vivid images of characters grappling with the concepts of wealth, possession, and moral decisions in the face of economic disparity.
From the longing of Zerkow for the glory of the punch-bowl in the first passage, to the stark realization of wealth indicated by the five thousand dollars in the second, and on to the devaluation of life suggested in the subsequent excerpts, these texts reflect the multifaceted relationship between humanity and material wealth. The finality of a transaction over junk items, which holds deep significance for the characters, illustrates the desperate measures they might take to secure the smallest bit of gold.