| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: the explosion. The barber's chair, with Captain Klinefelter
in it and unhurt, was left with its back overhanging vacancy--
everything forward of it, floor and all, had disappeared;
and the stupefied barber, who was also unhurt, stood with one toe
projecting over space, still stirring his lather unconsciously,
and saying, not a word.
When George Ealer saw the chimneys plunging aloft in front of him,
he knew what the matter was; so he muffled his face in the lapels of
his coat, and pressed both hands there tightly to keep this protection
in its place so that no steam could get to his nose or mouth.
He had ample time to attend to these details while he was going up
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: not teach me what is due to my father, I have known my father
this long while. Not a word, Eugene. I will hear what you have to
say when you are dressed. My carriage is waiting, take it, go
round to your rooms and dress, Therese has put out everything in
readiness for you. Come back as soon as you can; we will talk
about my father on the way to Mme. de Beauseant's. We must go
early; if we have to wait our turn in a row of carriages, we
shall be lucky if we get there by eleven o'clock."
"Madame----"
"Quick! not a word!" she cried, darting into her dressing-room
for a necklace.
Father Goriot |
