| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy: Edlin had led him to expect. There was every possibility of her
lingering on for weeks or months, though little likelihood.
He wrote to Sue informing her of the state of her aunt,
and suggesting that she might like to see her aged relative alive.
He would meet her at Alfredston Road, the following evening,
Monday, on his way back from Christminster, if she could come
by the up-train which crossed his down-train at that station.
Next morning, according, he went on to Christminster, intending to
return to Alfredston soon enough to keep the suggested appointment
with Sue.
The city of learning wore an estranged look, and he had lost all feeling
Jude the Obscure |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Rescue by Joseph Conrad: Lingard had talked with Hassim while the stars streamed from east
to west like an immense river of sparks above their heads. Immada
listened, sometimes exclaiming low, sometimes holding her breath.
She clapped her hands once. A faint dawn appeared.
"You shall be treated like my father in the country," Hassim was
saying. A heavy dew dripped off the rigging and the darkened
sails were black on the pale azure of the sky. "You shall be the
father who advises for good-- "
"I shall be a steady friend, and as a friend I want to be
treated--no more," said Lingard. "Take back your ring."
"Why do you scorn my gift?" asked Hassim, with a sad and ironic
The Rescue |
