| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: of the ease with which a waxen figure might be introduced,
and a supposititious funeral carried on.
The succeeding morning promised something better.
The general's early walk, ill-timed as it was in every
other view, was favourable here; and when she knew
him to be out of the house, she directly proposed
to Miss Tilney the accomplishment of her promise.
Eleanor was ready to oblige her; and Catherine reminding
her as they went of another promise, their first visit
in consequence was to the portrait in her bed-chamber. It
represented a very lovely woman, with a mild and pensive
Northanger Abbey |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy: An emotion at sight of them, assisted by the growing dusk of evening,
caused her to act on impulse, and first looking around her quickly,
she pulled out the peg which fastened down the cover, and went on.
The cover was lifted from within, and the pigeons flew away with a
clatter that brought the chagrined poulterer cursing and swearing to
the door.
Sue reached the lodging trembling, and found Jude and the boy making it
comfortable for her. "Do the buyers pay before they bring away the things?"
she asked breathlessly.
"Yes, I think. Why?"
"Because, then, I've done such a wicked thing!" And she explained,
Jude the Obscure |
