Final answer:The central theme of the excerpt from 'Behind the Mountains' is the tension between self-confidence and self-doubt. This internal conflict shapes the narrative's deeper message about human experience and how easily external factors can affect one's self-perception.Explanation:The central theme of the excerpt fromBehind the Mountainslikely revolves around the tension between self-confidence and self-doubt, as evidenced by Twain's shifting feelings about running a crossing. This internal conflict and its impact on the protagonist's psyche shape the narrative's theme. In literature, a theme generally reflects a deeper message or moral of the narrative that speaks to the human condition. In this case, the interaction between the protagonist and the environment, including the pressure from Mr. Bixby and the additional people, suggests a universal message regarding the challenges of facing new responsibilities and the ease with which external forces can influence one's self-perception.Poems from various time periods and cultures, like those from the Romantic period or from Du Fu, often express themes related to the human experience, nature, and society. These themes can reflect values such as individualism, the sublimity of nature, and reactions to historical events. The Du Fu poem, for instance, exhibits a sense of loss and continuity when stating'My country's broken, though the hills and rivers remain.'...

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