| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Octopus by Frank Norris: lowering, sullen. All were set in one direction and slowly,
slowly they advanced, crowding closer, till they almost touched
one another. For reasons that were inexplicable, great,
tumultuous heavings, like ground-swells of an incoming tide,
surged over and through the multitude. At times, Presley, lifted
from his feet, was swept back, back, back, with the crowd, till
the entrance of the Opera House was half a block away; then, the
returning billow beat back again and swung him along, gasping,
staggering, clutching, till he was landed once more in the vortex
of frantic action in front of the foyer. Here the waves were
shorter, quicker, the crushing pressure on all sides of his body
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: two weeks without a break. Then he had a sum of money that would
have been a fortune to him in the old days of misery--but what
could he do with it now? To be sure he might have put it in a
bank, and, if he were fortunate, get it back again when he wanted
it. But Jurgis was now a homeless man, wandering over a
continent; and what did he know about banking and drafts and
letters of credit? If he carried the money about with him, he
would surely be robbed in the end; and so what was there for him
to do but enjoy it while he could? On a Saturday night he
drifted into a town with his fellows; and because it was raining,
and there was no other place provided for him, he went to a
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: around--"Miss Vere, alone! on the ground! and in tears!"
"Leave me--leave me, Mr. Ratcliffe," said the unhappy young lady.
"I must not leave you," said Ratcliffe; "I have been repeatedly
requesting admittance to take my leave of you, and have been
refused, until your father himself sent for me. Blame me not, if
I am bold and intrusive; I have a duty to discharge which makes
me so."
"I cannot listen to you--I cannot speak to you, Mr. Ratcliffe;
take my best wishes, and for God's sake leave me."
"Tell me only," said Ratcliffe, "is it true that this monstrous
match is to go forward, and this very night? I heard the
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Glasses by Henry James: I too had filled out my hour. Dawling remembered things; I think
he caught in my very face the irony of old judgments: they made
him thresh about in his chair. I said to Flora as I took leave of
her that I would come to see her, but I may mention that I never
went. I'd go to-morrow if I hear she wants me; but what in the
world can she ever want? As I quitted them I laid my hand on
Dawling's arm, and drew him for a moment into the lobby.
"Why did you never write to me of your marriage?"
He smiled uncomfortably, showing his long yellow teeth and
something more. "I don't know--the whole thing gave me such a
tremendous lot to do."
|
