| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tales of the Klondyke by Jack London: time.
A bearskin-coated policeman stepped prominently to the fore, watch
in hand. Men hurried among the dogs, rousing them to their feet,
untangling their traces, straightening them out. The entries came
to the mark, firmly gripping stakes and notices. They had gone
over the boundaries of the claim so often that they could now have
done it blindfolded. The policeman raised his hand. Casting off
their superfluous furs and blankets, and with a final cinching of
belts, they came to attention.
"Time!"
Sixty pairs of hands unmitted; as many pairs of moccasins gripped
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: to see such a fine pretty lady as your mother so stingy with her
beasts! Now, where's your patriotism, Mrs. Tarleton? Does the
Confederacy mean nothing to you at all?"
"Ma," cried small Betsy, "Randa's sitting on my dress and I'm
getting all wrinkled."
"Well, push Randa off you, Betsy, and hush. Now, listen to me,
Gerald O'Hara," she retorted, her eyes beginning to snap. "Don't
you go throwing the Confederacy in my face! I reckon the
Confederacy means as much to me as it does to you, me with four
boys in the Troop and you with none. But my boys can take care of
themselves and my horses can't. I'd gladly give the horses free
 Gone With the Wind |