| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Illustrious Gaudissart by Honore de Balzac: in his own home like an Indian on his mat or a Turk on his divan. He
employs his wit in laughing at his neighbor and in making merry all
his days; and when at last he reaches the end of his life, he is still
a happy man. Touraine is like the Abbaye of Theleme, so vaunted in the
history of Gargantua. There we may find the complying sisterhoods of
that famous tale, and there the good cheer celebrated by Rabelais
reigns in glory.
As to the do-nothingness of that blessed land it is sublime and well
expressed in a certain popular legend: "Tourangian, are you hungry, do
you want some soup?" "Yes." "Bring your porringer." "Then I am not
hungry." Is it to the joys of the vineyard and the harmonious
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: over for a while asked me to take him to Renfield. I did so.
As we came to the door we heard the lunatic within singing gaily,
as he used to do in the time which now seems so long ago.
When we entered we saw with amazement that he had spread out
his sugar as of old. The flies, lethargic with the autumn,
were beginning to buzz into the room. We tried to make him talk
of the subject of our previous conversation, but he would not attend.
He went on with his singing, just as though we had not been present.
He had got a scrap of paper and was folding it into a notebook.
We had to come away as ignorant as we went in.
His is a curious case indeed. We must watch him tonight.
Dracula |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Honore de Balzac: You would destroy to no purpose the credit of the house of Popinot. Do
you know how much the boldest money-lender would give you for those
fifty thousand francs? Twenty thousand at the most; twenty thousand,
do you hear me? There are crises in business when we must stand up
three days before the world without eating, as if we had indigestion,
and on the fourth day we may be admitted to the larder of credit. You
cannot live through those three days; and the whole matter lies there.
My poor nephew, take courage! file your schedule, make an assignment.
Here is Popinot, here am I; we will go to work as soon as the clerks
have gone to bed, and spare you the agony of it."
"My uncle!" said Cesar, clasping his hands.
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |
