Final answer:
The line is a rhetorical question about the passage of time, emphasizing the fleeting nature of moments and their lasting impact on individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The line "Are those swift moments? Whither are they fled?" reflects a rhetorical question about the passage of time. This line, typical of reflective prose and poetry, expresses a universal human concern with the fleeting nature of moments and the temporal flow experienced through the sense of wonder, nostalgia, or the striking recognition of life's impermanence. These excerpts showcase characters who are deeply engrossed in memories and the ephemeral nature of life's experiences.
They capture the essence of transience and the emotional resonance that certain memories or moments hold for individuals. These narratives reveal a common literary theme: the way that significant events and personal memories are woven into the fabric of one’s identity and how they represent the marks that time and experience imprint upon us.