Final answer:
The literary passages provided circle around themes of guilt, responsibility, and the psychological effects on characters in positions of power, like a captain or a colonel, especially during historically fraught times such as wars or the era of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to revolve around various literary passages that describe certain feelings, actions and conflicts involving characters with a military rank, such as a captain or colonel, and their interactions with others. These passages could come from works of literature that are exploring themes such as guilt, responsibility, slavery, and the moral repercussions of certain actions.
The use of guilt in the given text indicates an exploration of the psychological impact of life-altering decisions and events on individuals. The first excerpt might suggest the captain is dealing with the guilt and responsibility of causing someone's death.
In another passage, the description of a slave unknowingly speaking with his master and then being punished for expressing discontent could be an example from a story set during the period of slavery in the United States. This harsh reality highlights the grave consequences of speaking truth to power during that era.