| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Ann Veronica by H. G. Wells: reverences, I know, between father and son; but that's just
exactly what prevents the development of an easy friendship.
Father-worshipping sons are abnormal--and they're no good. No
good at all. One's got to be a better man than one's father, or
what is the good of successive generations? Life is rebellion,
or nothing."
He rowed a stroke and watched the swirl of water from his oar
broaden and die away. At last he took up his thoughts again: "I
wonder if, some day, one won't need to rebel against customs and
laws? If this discord will have gone? Some day, perhaps--who
knows?--the old won't coddle and hamper the young, and the young
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Youth by Joseph Conrad: "Someone had the sense to look over, and there was
the helmsman, who had impulsively jumped overboard,
anxious to come back. He yelled and swam lustily like
a merman, keeping up with the ship. We threw him a
rope, and presently he stood amongst us streaming with
water and very crest-fallen. The captain had surren-
dered the wheel, and apart, elbow on rail and chin in
hand, gazed at the sea wistfully. We asked ourselves,
What next? I thought, Now, this is something like.
This is great. I wonder what will happen. O youth!
"Suddenly Mahon sighted a steamer far astern. Cap-
Youth |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Red Inn by Honore de Balzac: leave my companion at a moment when his discouragement was so deep, I
pressed him in my arms with friendship, saying:--
"Have patience; all may yet go well. If the voice of an honest man can
still your doubts, believe that I esteem you and trust you. Accept my
friendship, and rest upon my heart, if you cannot find peace in your
own."
The next morning a corporal's guard came to fetch the young surgeon at
nine o'clock. Hearing the noise made by the soldiers, I stationed
myself at my window. As the prisoner crossed the courtyard, he cast
his eyes up to me. Never shall I forget that look, full of thoughts,
presentiments, resignation, and I know not what sad, melancholy grace.
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