The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Crisis in Russia by Arthur Ransome: congresses to do the same with the Trades Unions. This
done, a further series of propaganda meetings among the
people actually to be affected smooths the way for the
introduction of whatever new measure is being carried
through at the moment. All this talk, besides lessening the
amount of physical force necessary in carrying out a
decision, must also avoid, at least in part, the deadening
effect that would be caused by mere compulsory obedience
to the unexplained orders of a military dictator. Of the
reality of the Communist Dictatorship I have no sort of
doubt. But its methods are such as tend towards the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: I felt sick and hardly able to hold the rudder, when suddenly I saw
a line of high land towards the south.
Almost spent, as I was, by fatigue and the dreadful suspense I
endured for several hours, this sudden certainty of life rushed
like a flood of warm joy to my heart, and tears gushed from my eyes.
How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love
we have of life even in the excess of misery! I constructed
another sail with a part of my dress and eagerly steered my course
towards the land. It had a wild and rocky appearance, but as I
approached nearer I easily perceived the traces of cultivation.
I saw vessels near the shore and found myself suddenly transported
Frankenstein |