| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Between two and three in the morning the moon rose; and I then,
putting my basket aboard a little skiff, sailed out about four
miles from the shore. The scene was perfectly solitary; a few
boats were returning towards land, but I sailed away from them.
I felt as if I was about the commission of a dreadful crime and
avoided with shuddering anxiety any encounter with my fellow creatures.
At one time the moon, which had before been clear, was suddenly
overspread by a thick cloud, and I took advantage of the moment
of darkness and cast my basket into the sea; I listened to the
gurgling sound as it sank and then sailed away from the spot.
The sky became clouded, but the air was pure, although chilled by
Frankenstein |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: "Yes, I see that if Miles took it instead he probably will have read it
and destroyed it."
"And don't you see anything else?"
I faced her a moment with a sad smile. "It strikes me that by this
time your eyes are open even wider than mine."
They proved to be so indeed, but she could still blush, almost, to show it.
"I make out now what he must have done at school." And she gave,
in her simple sharpness, an almost droll disillusioned nod. "He stole!"
I turned it over--I tried to be more judicial. "Well--perhaps."
She looked as if she found me unexpectedly calm.
"He stole LETTERS!"
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