| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Awakening & Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin: "But when, when?" cried Edna, impatiently. "He does not say when."
"He says `very soon.' You know as much about it as I do; it is
all in the letter."
"But why? Why is he coming? Oh, if I thought--" and she
snatched the letter from the floor and turned the pages this way
and that way, looking for the reason, which was left untold.
"If I were young and in love with a man," said Mademoiselle,
turning on the stool and pressing her wiry hands between her knees
as she looked down at Edna, who sat on the floor holding the
letter, "it seems to me he would have to be some grand esprit;
a man with lofty aims and ability to reach them; one who stood high
Awakening & Selected Short Stories |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott: Only dinna pit yoursell into a kippage, and expose yoursell
before the weans, or before the Marquis, when ye gang down-bye."
"Speak out, you old fool," replied his master, "and let me know
the best and the worst at once."
"Ou, the best and the warst is, just that the tower is standing
hail and feir, as safe and as empty as when ye left it."
"Indeed! and the fire?" said Ravenswood.
"Not a gleed of fire, then, except the bit kindling peat, and
maybe a spunk in Mysie's cutty-pipe," replied Caleb.
"But the flame?" demanded Ravenswood--"the broad blaze which
might have been seen ten miles off--what occasioned that?"
The Bride of Lammermoor |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from O Pioneers! by Willa Cather: these years, though you have never questioned
me; washing them every night, even in winter."
Alexandra laughed. "Oh, never mind about
your feet, Ivar. We can remember when half
our neighbors went barefoot in summer. I ex-
pect old Mrs. Lee would love to slip her shoes
off now sometimes, if she dared. I'm glad I'm
not Lou's mother-in-law."
Ivar looked about mysteriously and lowered
O Pioneers! |
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 All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare: Though time seem so adverse and means unfit.
I do beseech you, whither is he gone?
GENTLEMAN.
Marry, as I take it, to Rousillon;
Whither I am going.
HELENA.
I do beseech you, sir,
Since you are like to see the king before me,
Commend the paper to his gracious hand;
Which I presume shall render you no blame,
But rather make you thank your pains for it:
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