| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Treatise on Parents and Children by George Bernard Shaw: suffice in a reasonable environment. But this allowance may not be
enough to defend him against the temptation and demoralization of
finding himself a little god on the strength of what ought to be a
quite ordinary culture. He may find adorers in all directions in our
uncultivated society among people of stronger character than himself,
not one of whom, if they had been artistically educated, would have
had anything to learn from him or regarded him as in any way
extraordinary apart from his actual achievements as an artist.
Tartuffe is not always a priest. Indeed he is not always a rascal:
he is often a weak man absurdly credited with omniscience and
perfection, and taking unfair advantages only because they are offered
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: wrong to use his privilege. Follow my advice, swear, and do
not insult." The general, again daunted by the superiority
of the chief, hesitated a moment; then advancing to the
president's desk, -- "What is the form, said he.
"`"It is this: -- `I swear by my honor not to reveal to any
one what I have seen and heard on the 5th of February, 1815,
between nine and ten o'clock in the evening; and I plead
guilty of death should I ever violate this oath.'" The
general appeared to be affected by a nervous tremor, which
prevented his answering for some moments; then, overcoming
his manifest repugnance, he pronounced the required oath,
The Count of Monte Cristo |
