Final answer:
The phrase "Noah hasn't landed his ark" suggests an unresolved situation where safety is not yet secured, fitting the themes of struggle against nature in the provided excerpts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpt from Ninth Ward that the student's question refers to is not provided. However, the phrase "Noah hasn't landed his ark" is a metaphorical expression implying that a situation has not yet been resolved or a sense of safety and finality has not been reached. The usage of this phrase may suggest the characters are in a precarious or ongoing situation, possibly awaiting rescue or dealing with the aftermath of a disaster, much like Noah from the biblical story waiting to find dry land after the flood.
In the context of the other excerpts provided, which describe characters in a dire situation at sea, we can infer that the metaphor aligns with themes of survival and hope. The characters are facing a struggle against nature and potentially grappling with the indifference of the universe to their plight, similar to the uncertainty of Noah's voyage during the flood.