| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: like the debased Jews of old, "having found the life of their hand,
be therewith content," no matter in what mud-hole of slavery and
superstition.
But one hope there is, and more than a hope--one certainty, that
however satisfied enlightened public opinion may become with the
results of science, and the progress of the human race, there will
be always a more enlightened private opinion or opinions, which will
not be satisfied therewith at all; a few men of genius, a few
children of light, it may be a few persecuted, and a few martyrs for
new truths, who will wish the world not to rest and be thankful, but
to be discontented with itself, ashamed of itself, striving and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy: "I declare there's a hole in my stocking-heel!" said
Tess.
"Never mind holes in your stockings--they don't speak!
When I was a maid, so long as I had a pretty bonnet the
devil might ha' found me in heels."
Her mother's pride in the girl's appearance led her to
step back, like a painter from his easel, and survey
her work as a whole.
"You must zee yourself!" she cried. "It is much better
than you was t'other day."
As the looking-glass was only large enough to reflect a
Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman |
