Final answer:
The text does not directly describe Richard Parker's reaction to a lightning bolt, but intense and tumultuous events in the provided passages suggest a significant, transformative impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect the bolt of lightning had on Richard Parker is not explicitly described in the text provided; however, it is clear that intense and perilous events are occurring in the various passages. These pieces of literature convey a sense of drama, chaos, and danger, usually associated with lightning storms and extreme natural phenomena. Characters experience fear, confusion, and are often placed in life-threatening situations, such as the one where a sudden plash and a rising sheet of water leaves the character blinded and strangled, or the moment where a lightning storm adds to the perceived tragedy of a large cavern. The emotional turmoil and physical reactions to the events suggest a deeply transformative impact, similar to what Richard Parker may have experienced during a bolt of lightning.