| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Eugenie Grandet by Honore de Balzac: /copieux/, which was applied to the inhabitants of Angers, who
excelled in such urban sarcasms.
The ancient mansions of the old town of Saumur are at the top of this
hilly street, and were formerly occupied by the nobility of the
neighborhood. The melancholy dwelling where the events of the
following history took place is one of these mansions,--venerable
relics of a century in which men and things bore the characteristics
of simplicity which French manners and customs are losing day by day.
Follow the windings of the picturesque thoroughfare, whose
irregularities awaken recollections that plunge the mind mechanically
into reverie, and you will see a somewhat dark recess, in the centre
Eugenie Grandet |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum: into the narrow crack where the rock turned, and became wedged there.
They heard a crunching, grinding sound, a loud snap, and the
turn-table came to a stop with its broadest surface shutting off the
path from which they had come.
"Never mind," said Zeb, "we don't want to get back, anyhow."
"I'm not so sure of that," returned Dorothy. "The mother dragon may
come down and catch us here."
"It is possible," agreed the Wizard, "if this proves to be the path
she usually takes. But I have been examining this tunnel, and I do
not see any signs of so large a beast having passed through it."
"Then we're all right," said the girl, "for if the dragon went the
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz |
