Final answer:
The ferryman may accept or deny individuals passage based on various reasons, such as fulfilling obligations, adhering to rituals, political factors, and personal biases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ferryman accepts some individuals and denies others passage based on various reasons, which can be seen in different contexts and situations.
In many historical stories, such as the mythological tale of the river Styx, the ferryman Charon accepts only the souls of the dead who have received a proper burial and denies passage to those who haven't. This indicates that there may be certain requirements or conditions for acceptance, such as fulfilling obligations or adhering to specific rituals or customs.
In other historical events, such as the case of the MS St. Louis in 1939, the ferryman (in this case, the Cuban government) denied passage to Jewish refugees escaping Nazi persecution. This was due to political factors and policies of the government at the time, which ultimately resulted in great suffering for the passengers.
Overall, the decision of the ferryman to accept or deny individuals passage can be influenced by a range of factors, including cultural beliefs, regulations, political circumstances, and personal biases.