Final answer:
The passages provided revolve around the theme of dining and eating in literature, ranging from perilous encounters with lions to the warm act of cooking with family, illustrating the various roles of food in literary narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The provided passages deal with various descriptions of dining and meals in different contexts. From a family faced with perilous and lifelike lions in an advanced nursery to a man touted as a 'roaring, ranting, sleek man-thief' for his voracious appetite without charity, each portrays eating as a central theme.
In African cooking with grandmother Bibi, the act of cooking becomes a loving act of togetherness, enhancing the family experience. Also, a hearty lunch prepared by Trina and her mother turns into an indulgent, drowsy afternoon for McTeague which contrasts the later scenes of household devastation post-feasting.
These passages collectively depict various aspects of eating — lions after their prey, humans relishing their recipes and the aftermath of indulgence — painting a comprehensive picture of food in literature.