| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: expression of serene indifference, as etiquette demanded after
such an explanation. The contest was ended behind the curtain,
and evidently the younger will had its way, for the rapid shuffle
and click of Mrs. Almayer's high-heeled sandals died away in the
distance. The tranquillised master of the house was going to
resume the conversation when, struck by an unexpected change in
the expression of his guest's countenance, he turned his head and
saw Nina standing in the doorway.
After Mrs. Almayer's retreat from the field of battle, Nina, with
a contemptuous exclamation, "It's only a trader," had lifted the
conquered curtain and now stood in full light, framed in the dark
Almayer's Folly |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Pupil by Henry James: the hope of the Moreens for bringing the struggle on. But by the
time it began any such sentiment for that scion was closed to him.
Morgan was a special case, and to know him was to accept him on his
own odd terms. Pemberton had spent his aversion to special cases
before arriving at knowledge. When at last he did arrive his
quandary was great. Against every interest he had attached
himself. They would have to meet things together. Before they
went home that evening at Nice the boy had said, clinging to his
arm:
"Well, at any rate you'll hang on to the last."
"To the last?"
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