| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: crossed on his naked loins, swelled like pieces of a serpent.
Several streets began in front of him, leading from the spot at which
he found himself. In each of them a triple row of bronze chains
fastened to the navels of the Pataec gods extended in parallel lines
from one end to the other; the crowd was massed against the houses,
and servants, belonging to the Ancients, walked in the middle
brandishing thongs.
One of them drove him forward with a great blow; Matho began to move.
They thrust their arms over the chains shouting out that the road had
been left too wide for him; and he passed along, felt, pricked, and
slashed by all those fingers; when he reached the end of one street
 Salammbo |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from McTeague by Frank Norris: we'll have tea together."
"Did you hear that sawing going on all the time? I declare
it regularly got on my nerves."
Trina kissed her father and mother, crying a little herself
as she saw the tears in Mrs. Sieppe's eyes.
Marcus came forward a second time, and, with an air of great
gravity, kissed his cousin upon the forehead. Heise was
introduced to Trina and Uncle Oelbermann to the dentist.
For upwards of half an hour the guests stood about in
groups, filling the little sitting-room with a great chatter
of talk. Then it was time to make ready for supper.
 McTeague |