Final answer:
The usage of past tense and expressions of emotion in literature such as 'I hate you' are directed by the context of the narrative, which is not provided. These elements often convey time-related nuances and complex character interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The context for Zeloski, the baker's delivery man, using past tense when speaking of Arthur, and Gerda's statement, "I hate you," isn't provided within the excerpts included in the question. Typically, the use of past tense suggests discussing events that have already occurred or a change in the state of affairs regarding a person, such as their passing away or a significant alteration in their circumstances. Gerda's expression of hate could reflect anger, betrayal, or another strong emotional response to an event or action taken by the person she's speaking to.
Without the specific context of the narrative or the scene involving these characters, it's impossible to determine the exact reasons behind their word choices. Literature often uses shifts in tense to reflect changes in timeframes and emotional expressions to convey character dynamics and plot developments. The provided text from different literary works, likewise, illustrates how characters' emotions and backstory inform their dialogue and actions.