| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad: calf, one leg a little higher than the other, the clean
check shirt, the white canvas cap, evidently made
by himself, made up a whole of peculiar smartness,
and the persistent jauntiness of his gait, even, poor
fellow, when he couldn't help tottering, told of his
invincible spirit. There was also a man called
Gambril. He was the only grizzled person in the
ship. His face was of an austere type. But if I re-
member all their faces, wasting tragically before my
eyes, most of their names have vanished from my
memory.
The Shadow Line |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Reef by Edith Wharton: His face remained grave, but without the least trace of
discomposure. "And what does Miss Viner say?"
"She says it's perfectly natural that she should
occasionally talk to my friends when she's under my roof--
and refuses to give him any other explanation."
"That at least is perfectly natural!"
Anna felt her cheeks flush as she answered: "Yes--but there
is something----"
"Something----?"
"Some reason for her sudden decision to break her
engagement. I can understand Owen's feeling, sorry as I am
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Start in Life by Honore de Balzac: quick, and cut his line in two,--you understand? Ha! ha! after the
affair was over, Ali kissed me--"
"Do they do that in the East?" asked the count, in a joking way.
"Yes, monsieur," said the painter, "that's done all the world over."
"After that," continued Georges, "Ali gave me yataghans, and carbines,
and scimetars, and what-not. But when we got back to his capital he
made me propositions, wanted me to drown a wife, and make a slave of
myself,--Orientals are so queer! But I thought I'd had enough of it;
for, after all, you know, Ali was a rebel against the Porte. So I
concluded I had better get off while I could. But I'll do Monsieur
Tebelen the justice to say that he loaded me with presents,--diamonds,
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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 The Forged Coupon by Leo Tolstoy: not to bear and rear children, and even looked on
such a task with disgust and contempt. She
thought herself chosen by destiny to destroy the
present government, which was fettering the best
abilities of the nation, and to reveal to the people
a higher standard of life, inculcated by the latest
writers of other countries. She was handsome, a
little inclined to stoutness: she had a good com-
plexion, shining black eyes, abundant black hair.
She inspired the men she knew with feelings she
neither wished nor had time to share, busy as she
The Forged Coupon |
