| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Modeste Mignon by Honore de Balzac: this mysterious power is more jealous than a woman; it sucks their
blood, it makes them live, it makes them die for its sake. The
visible developments of their hidden existence do seem, in their
results, like egotism; but who shall dare to say that the man who
has abnegated self to give pleasure, instruction, or grandeur to
his epoch, is an egoist? Is a mother selfish when she immolates
all things to her child? Well, the detractors of genius do not
perceive its fecund maternity, that is all. The life of a poet is
so perpetual a sacrifice that he needs a gigantic organization to
bear even the ordinary pleasures of life. Therefore, into what
sorrows may he not fall when, like Moliere, he wishes to live the
Modeste Mignon |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tarzan the Untamed by Edgar Rice Burroughs: then she drew nearer to the beast-man until her shoulder
touched his arm. The act was involuntary and for a moment
she scarce realized what she had done, and then she stepped
silently back, thankful that the light of the stars was not
sufficient to reveal to the eyes of her companions the flush
which she felt mantling her cheek. Yet she was not ashamed
of the impulse that had prompted her, but rather of the act
itself which she knew, had Tarzan noticed it, would have been
repulsive to him.
From the open gate of the city of maniacs came the answer-
ing cry of a lion. The little group waited where they stood
Tarzan the Untamed |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Dream Life and Real Life by Olive Schreiner: brick walls, and the girl watched it. Then, suddenly, as if it scorned it
all, it curved its beautiful back and turned; and away it fled over the
bushes and sand, like a sheeny streak of white lightning. She stood up to
watch it. So free, so free! Away, away! She watched, till she could see
it no more on the wide plain.
Her heart swelled, larger, larger, larger: she uttered a low cry; and
without waiting, pausing, thinking, she followed on its track. Away, away,
away! "I--I also!" she said, "I--I also!"
When at last her legs began to tremble under her, and she stopped to
breathe, the house was a speck behind her. She dropped on the earth, and
held her panting sides.
|
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 War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells: happened."
He looked at me doubtfully, then started, and looked with
a changed expression.
"I've no wish to stop about here," said I. "I think I shall
go to Leatherhead, for my wife was there."
He shot out a pointing finger.
"It is you," said he; "the man from Woking. And you
weren't killed at Weybridge?"
I recognised him at the same moment.
"You are the artilleryman who came into my garden."
"Good luck!" he said. "We are lucky ones! Fancy YOU!" He
War of the Worlds |
