Final answer:
The question about Ezekiah Hopkins appears to be a reference to English literature, specifically detective stories such as those by Conan Doyle. The given excerpts, however, provide examples of wealth's influence on characters in various literary works, representing themes of aspiration, power, and the contrast between reality and ambition in classic English narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial question about Ezekiah Hopkins is a fictional premise often found in English literature, particularly in the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, such as "The Red-Headed League".
However, the excerpt provided does not correlate directly with Ezekiah Hopkins and instead offers several different contexts from varying literature sources, which reflect themes of aspiration, wealth, and the human condition in classic stories.
These narrative selections illustrate characters' desires shaped by the prospects of wealth, from a slave owner's hypocritical piety and rigorous work expectations to a teacher's daydreams of wealth and a political leader's promises of economic equality.
Considering the provided excerpts, we encounter diverse characters and thematic elements such as the contrast between harsh reality and illusionary hopes, the importance of financial stability, and the impact of sudden wealth or the promise thereof on individuals and communities.