| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from In the Cage by Henry James: of his life that memory and attention had at last given her. There
came a day when this possession on the girl's part actually seemed
to enjoy between them, while their eyes met, a tacit recognition
that was half a joke and half a deep solemnity. He bade her good
morning always now; he often quite raised his hat to her. He
passed a remark when there was time or room, and once she went so
far as to say to him that she hadn't seen him for "ages." "Ages"
was the word she consciously and carefully, though a trifle
tremulously used; "ages" was exactly what she meant. To this he
replied in terms doubtless less anxiously selected, but perhaps on
that account not the less remarkable, "Oh yes, hasn't it been
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Bronte Sisters: but I must have your forgiveness. I leave you to-morrow, and I may
not have an opportunity of speaking to you again. I was wrong to
forget myself and you, as I did; but let me implore you to forget
and forgive my rash presumption, and think of me as if those words
had never been spoken; for, believe me, I regret them deeply, and
the loss of your esteem is too severe a penalty: I cannot bear
it.'
'Forgetfulness is not to be purchased with a wish; and I cannot
bestow my esteem on all who desire it, unless they deserve it too.'
'I shall think my life well spent in labouring to deserve it, if
you will but pardon this offence - will you?'
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy: drown. Hang myself? Yes, just throw this sash over a branch.'
This seemed so feasible and so easy that he felt horrified. As
usual at moments of despair he felt the need of prayer. But
there was no one to pray to. There was no God. He lay down
resting on his arm, and suddenly such a longing for sleep
overcame him that he could no longer support his head on his
hand, but stretched out his arm, laid his head upon it, and fell
asleep. But that sleep lasted only for a moment. He woke up
immediately and began not to dream but to remember.
He saw himself as a child in his mother's home in the country. A
carriage drives up, and out of it steps Uncle Nicholas
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