| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe: three the day after; for otherwise I know not how I should lose a
day out of my reckoning in the days of the week, as it appeared
some years after I had done; for if I had lost it by crossing and
recrossing the line, I should have lost more than one day; but
certainly I lost a day in my account, and never knew which way. Be
that, however, one way or the other, when I awaked I found myself
exceedingly refreshed, and my spirits lively and cheerful; when I
got up I was stronger than I was the day before, and my stomach
better, for I was hungry; and, in short, I had no fit the next day,
but continued much altered for the better. This was the 29th.
The 30th was my well day, of course, and I went abroad with my gun,
Robinson Crusoe |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Beauty and The Beast by Bayard Taylor: prostrate before the consecrated pictures, and sobbed so
passionately that the tears of the guests flowed for the third
time. There he lay until night; for whenever any one dared to
touch him, he struck out furiously with fists and feet. Finally he
fell asleep on the floor, and the servants then bore him to his
sleeping apartment.
For several days afterward his grief continued to be so violent
that the occupants of the castle were obliged to keep out of his
way. The whip was never out of his hand, and he used it very
recklessly, not always selecting the right person. The parasitic
poor relations found their situation so uncomfortable, that they
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: taste, hasn't she? Eh?"
Vautrin, Father Goriot, and Rastignac came downstairs in company,
and, all three of them being late, were obliged to sit together.
Eugene was as distant as possible in his manner to Vautrin during
dinner; but the other, so charming in Mme. Vauquer's opinion, had
never been so witty. His lively sallies and sparkling talk put
the whole table in good humor. His assurance and coolness filled
Eugene with consternation.
"Why, what has come to you to-day?" inquired Mme. Vauquer. "You
are as merry as a skylark."
"I am always in spirits after I have made a good bargain."
Father Goriot |
