| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: an eyeglass on a broad ribbon, and, becoming expansive,
confessed his opinion that Kurtz really couldn't write
a bit--'but heavens! how that man could talk. He electrified
large meetings. He had faith--don't you see?--he had the faith.
He could get himself to believe anything--anything.
He would have been a splendid leader of an extreme party.'
`What party?' I asked. `Any party,' answered the other.
`He was an--an--extremist.' Did I not think so? I assented.
Did I know, he asked, with a sudden flash of curiosity,
`what it was that had induced him to go out there?'
`Yes,' said I, and forthwith handed him the famous Report
Heart of Darkness |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pierrette by Honore de Balzac: day when Gouraud told him in the little square that the Rogrons had
finally quarrelled with the bourgeois aristocracy of the Upper town,
he nudged the colonel in the ribs significantly, and said, with a
knowing look:--
"One woman or another--handsome or ugly--/you/ don't care; marry
Mademoiselle Rogron and we can organize something at once."
"I have been thinking of it," replied Gouraud, "but the fact is they
have sent for the daughter of Colonel Lorrain, and she's their next of
kin."
"You can get them to make a will in your favor. Ha! you would get a
very comfortable house."
|
