Final answer:
The theme of 'coldness' in these excerpts represents both physical discomfort and emotional detachment, highlighting human vulnerability and the lack of imagination. It transcends physical implications, molding experiences and internal human emotions across different contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recurring motif of coldness within these excerpts suggests a deep association between the literal cold environment and the emotional detachment or lack of imagination of the characters or speakers described. The word 'cold' serves as both a physical and emotional descriptor; it points out the obvious physical discomfort as well as symbolizing a certain numbness towards experiences which should, under normal circumstances, elicit a significant emotional response. The various instances, ranging from the speaker taking pride in his resistance to emotion to the man's indifference to the overwhelming cold in the arctic conditions, display the theme that coldness is intricately linked to emotional and imaginative deficiencies.
Furthermore, the way coldness is contextually laid out also serves to underline certain thematic concerns about human vulnerability, the necessity of imagination, and the coping mechanisms individuals use. When discussing the literal aspects of coldness, such as the descriptions of October 1937 and the conditions described in Jack London's 'To Build a Fire,' the idea of survival in an indifferent environment is highlighted. Meanwhile, in more metaphorical usages, like the maple leaf spiraling in a cold draft, or the absence of a face in a heated memory, we see the power of coldness to affect and mold past experiences and recollections.
Ultimately, these excerpts reveal how the essence of coldness transcends its immediate physical implications and ventures into the realm of human emotion and cognition. The texts offer a rich tapestry for exploring the interplay between the environment and the individual's internal world; they expand the notion of 'coldness' to encompass the depth of human experiences within different contexts and times, from an ice age to a personal memory.