| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber: and stifle them, and screw the cover down tight on every
natural impulse, and then, some day, the cover will blow off
with a loud report. You can't kill that kind of thing,
Fanny. It would have to be a wholesale massacre of all the
centuries behind you. I don't so much mind your being
disloyal to your tribe, or race, or whatever you want to
call it. But you've turned your back on yourself; you've
got an obligation to humanity, and I'll nag you till you pay
it. I don't care if I lose you, so long as you find
yourself. The thing you've got isn't merely racial. God,
no! It's universal. And you owe it to the world. Pay up,
Fanny Herself |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: "My husband will be in soon for dinner. I'd be glad to have you stay
and take a meal with us."
The reporter thanked her and declined.
"It's an interesting story," he said. "I didn't tell your husband,
for I wasn't sure I was on the right trail. But the David and Lucy
business eliminates this man. There's a piece of property waiting
in the East for a Henry Livingstone who came to this state in the
80's, or for his heirs. You can say positively that this man was
not married?"
"No. He didn't like women. Never had one on the place. Two ranch
hands that are still at the Wassons' and himself, that was all.
The Breaking Point |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: rightly depend on. But I'm content, for it's comin' to me, my deary,
and comin' quick. It may be comin' while we be lookin' and wonderin'. Maybe
it's in that wind out over the sea that's bringin' with it loss and wreck,
and sore distress, and sad hearts. Look! Look!" he cried suddenly.
"There's something in that wind and in the hoast beyont that sounds,
and looks, and tastes, and smells like death. It's in the air.
I feel it comin'. Lord, make me answer cheerful, when my call comes!"
He held up his arms devoutly, and raised his hat. His mouth moved
as though he were praying. After a few minutes' silence, he got up,
shook hands with me, and blessed me, and said goodbye, and hobbled off.
It all touched me, and upset me very much.
Dracula |
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 Dawn O'Hara, The Girl Who Laughed by Edna Ferber: in four weeks; they can tell you the number of times a
week that Sam Dempster comes home drunk; they know that
the Merkles never have cream with their coffee because
little Lizzie Merkle goes to the creamery every day with
just one pail and three cents; they gloat over the knowledge
that Professor Grimes, who is a married man, is sweet on
Gertie Ashe, who teaches second reader in his school;
they can tell you where Mrs. Black got her seal coat, and
her husband only earning two thousand a year; they know
who is going to run for mayor, and how long poor Angela
Sims has to live, and what Guy Donnelly said to Min when
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