| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Underground City by Jules Verne: from him, but it was impossible, so narrowly did he watch me.
At last, in a fit of ungovernable fury, he threw me down into
the abyss where you found me, and disappeared, vainly calling
on Harfang, which faithfully stayed by me, to follow him.
I know not how long I remained there, but I felt I was at
the point of death when you, my Harry, came and saved me.
But now you all see that the grandchild of old Silfax can
never be the wife of Harry Ford, because it would be certain
death to you all!"
"Nell!" cried Harry.
"No," continued the maiden, "my resolution is taken. By one means
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen: I can hardly keep my hands warm even in my muff. It was
not so yesterday, I think. The clouds seem parting too,
the sun will be out in a moment, and we shall have a
clear afternoon."
Elinor was alternately diverted and pained;
but Marianne persevered, and saw every night in the
brightness of the fire, and every morning in the appearance
of the atmosphere, the certain symptoms of approaching frost.
The Miss Dashwoods had no greater reason to be
dissatisfied with Mrs. Jennings's style of living, and set
of acquaintance, than with her behaviour to themselves,
Sense and Sensibility |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Call of Cthulhu by H. P. Lovecraft: of unconsciousness and delirium. My uncle at once telephoned the
family, and from that time forward kept close watch of the case;
calling often at the Thayer Street office of Dr. Tobey, whom he
learned to be in charge. The youth's febrile mind, apparently,
was dwelling on strange things; and the doctor shuddered now and
then as he spoke of them. They included not only a repetition
of what he had formerly dreamed, but touched wildly on a gigantic
thing "miles high" which walked or lumbered about.
He at no
time fully described this object but occasional frantic words,
as repeated by Dr. Tobey, convinced the professor that it must
Call of Cthulhu |
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 Gorgias by Plato: the death of you, especially of the younger ones among you, cutting and
burning and starving and suffocating you, until you know not what to do; he
gives you the bitterest potions, and compels you to hunger and thirst. How
unlike the variety of meats and sweets on which I feasted you!' What do
you suppose that the physician would be able to reply when he found himself
in such a predicament? If he told the truth he could only say, 'All these
evil things, my boys, I did for your health,' and then would there not just
be a clamour among a jury like that? How they would cry out!
CALLICLES: I dare say.
SOCRATES: Would he not be utterly at a loss for a reply?
CALLICLES: He certainly would.
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