| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad: man in bonds. But we reached it at last. I opened
it with the sensation of dealing with mere dream-
stuff, and then at the last moment the fellowship
of seamen asserted itself, stronger than the differ-
ence of age and station. It asserted itself in
Captain Ellis' voice.
"Good-bye--and good luck to you," he said so
heartily that I could only give him a grateful
glance. Then I turned and went out, never to see
him again in my life. I had not made three steps
into the outer office when I heard behind my back
The Shadow Line |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Blix by Frank Norris: could offer him--noblesse oblige."
"Well, then, I COULDN'T offer him a dime, don't you see? I'll tell
him we are broke this time."
They started home, not as they had come, but climbing the hill and
going across a breezy open down, radiant with blue iris, wild
heliotrope, yellow poppies, and even a violet here and there. A
little further on they gained one of the roads of the Reservation,
red earth smooth as a billiard table; and just at an angle where
the road made a sharp elbow and trended cityward, they paused for
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence: over her shoulder, among the throng of bustling people.
She remained quiet. Together they went out of the theatre.
He saw the cabs waiting, the people passing. It seemed he met
a pair of brown eyes which hated him. But he did not know.
He and Clara turned away, mechanically taking the direction to
the station.
The train had gone. He would have to walk the ten miles home.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "I shall enjoy it."
"Won't you," she said, flushing, "come home for the night?
I can sleep with mother."
He looked at her. Their eyes met.
Sons and Lovers |
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 Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: miles, alone separate me from my friends. Loose these fetters, conduct me
to them; be ours. The king, on some future day, will doubtless thank my
deliverer. Now he is taken by surprise, or perchance he is ignorant of the
whole proceeding. Thy father ventures on this daring step, and majesty,
though horror-struck at the deed, must needs sanction the irrevocable.
Thou dost deliberate? Oh, contrive for me the way to freedom! Speak;
nourish hope in a living soul.
Ferdinand. Cease! Oh, cease! Every word deepens my despair. There is
here no outlet, no counsel, no escape.--'Tis this thought that tortures me,
that seizes my heart, and rends it as with talons. I have myself spread the
net; I know its firm, inextricable knots; I know that every avenue is barred
Egmont |
