| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: man. You've probably gone into your own case pretty thoroughly.
I'm accepting your statement, you see. As a matter of fact it must
be true, or you wouldn't be here. But I've got to know what I'm
doing before I lay my cards on the table. Make it simple, if you
can. I don't know your medical jargon."
Dick did his best. The mind closed down now and then, mainly from
a shock. No, there was no injury required. He didn't think he had
had an injury. A mental shock would do it, if it were strong enough.
And fear. It was generally fear. He had never considered himself
braver than the other fellow, but no man liked to think that he had
a cowardly mind. Even if things hadn't broken as they had, he'd
The Breaking Point |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne: been able, and that's all, to tell you when it happen'd, but not how;--so
that you see the thing is yet far from being accomplished.
These unforeseen stoppages, which I own I had no conception of when I first
set out;--but which, I am convinced now, will rather increase than diminish
as I advance,--have struck out a hint which I am resolved to follow;--and
that is,--not to be in a hurry;--but to go on leisurely, writing and
publishing two volumes of my life every year;--which, if I am suffered to
go on quietly, and can make a tolerable bargain with my bookseller, I shall
continue to do as long as I live.
Chapter 1.XV.
The article in my mother's marriage-settlement, which I told the reader I
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Human Drift by Jack London: But Bill was fighting for life--for the life of his loved ones.
Well, condition told. The strength went out of him, and I was
fresh as a daisy. "What's the matter, Bill?" I said to him in a
clinch. "You're weak." "I ain't had a bit to eat this day," he
answered. That was all.
By the seventh round he was about all in, hanging on and panting
and sobbing for breath in the clinches, and I knew I could put him
out any time. I drew back my right for the short-arm jab that
would do the business. He knew it was coming, and he was
powerless to prevent it.
"For the love of God, Bob," he said; and--[Pause.]
|
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 Cromwell by William Shakespeare: An Englishman, Russell, the Earl of Bedford,
Is by the French King sold unto his death:
It may fall out, that I may do him good;
To save his life, I'll hazard my heart blood.
Therefore, kind sir, thanks for your liberal gift;
I must be gone to aide him; there's no shift.
FRISKIBALL.
I'll be no hinderer to so good an act.
Heaven prosper you in that you go about!
If Fortune bring you this way back again,
Pray let me see you: so I take my leave;
|
