I believe he is drawing a parallel between a tone of pure joy and the most depressing despair.
For #2, he reacted that way because it's his view and he says "after all the stuff she said about you?"
Answer:
The monster was drooling everywhere with sharp fangs stained with blood. He hunches over like a goblin waiting for the next kill.
Explanation:
The theme for this story could be that if you work hard enough, you can leave your troubles and problems behind. The theme could also be that if you try too hard to avoid danger , than you might put yourself in more of it.
Did either of the sisters bring her umbrella?
Either is singular.
