| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herland by Charlotte Gilman: supreme task."
This was rather a blow to my previous convictions.
"But I thought motherhood was for each of you--"
"Motherhood--yes, that is, maternity, to bear a child. But
education is our highest art, only allowed to our highest artists."
"Education?" I was puzzled again. "I don't mean education.
I mean by motherhood not only child-bearing, but the care of babies."
"The care of babies involves education, and is entrusted only
to the most fit," she repeated.
"Then you separate mother and child!" I cried in cold horror,
something of Terry's feeling creeping over me, that there must
Herland |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake: And spend many an anxious hour;
Nor in my book can I take delight,
Nor sit in learning's bower,
Worn through with the dreary shower.
How can the bird that is born for joy
Sit in a cage and sing?
How can a child, when fears annoy,
But droop his tender wing,
And forget his youthful spring!
O father and mother if buds are nipped,
And blossoms blown away;
Songs of Innocence and Experience |
