| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of
their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present
deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional
grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and
easy method of making these children sound and useful members of
the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to
have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.
But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only
for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater
extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a
certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to
A Modest Proposal |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Village Rector by Honore de Balzac: fodder to support his cows through a dry season, he sends them to
market when he can feed them no longer. If by some fatal chance the
hay were to fail for two years running, you would see a startling
change the third year in the price of beef, but especially in that of
veal."
"That may put a stop to 'patriotic banquets,'" said the doctor,
laughing.
"Oh!" exclaimed Madame Graslin, looking at Roubaud, "can't politics
get on without the wit of journalism, even here?"
"In this lamentable business, the bourgeoisie plays the same /role/ as
the pioneers of America," continued Clousier. "It buys up great
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith: this house as at a green and yellow dinner at the French ambassador's
table. I'm for plain eating.
HARDCASTLE. I'm sorry, gentlemen, that I have nothing you like, but if
there be anything you have a particular fancy to----
MARLOW. Why, really, sir, your bill of fare is so exquisite, that any
one part of it is full as good as another. Send us what you please.
So much for supper. And now to see that our beds are aired, and
properly taken care of.
HARDCASTLE. I entreat you'll leave that to me. You shall not stir a
step.
MARLOW. Leave that to you! I protest, sir, you must excuse me, I
She Stoops to Conquer |
