| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer: I became aware of a heavy perfume, and knew it for some
kind of incense.
Then--a dim light was born, at an immeasurable distance away.
It grew steadily in brilliance. It spread like a bluish-red stain--
like a liquid. It lapped up the darkness and spread throughout the room.
But this was not my room! Nor was it any room known to me.
It was an apartment of such size that its dimensions filled me with a
kind of awe such as I never had known: the awe of walled vastness.
Its immense extent produced a sensation of sound. Its hugeness had
a distinct NOTE.
Tapestries covered the four walls. There was no door visible.
The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Troll Garden and Selected Stories by Willa Cather: own soul that revolted at the littleness of the device.
Lena was at home just at this time. Work was slack in the
laundry and Mary had not been well, so Lena stayed at home, glad
enough to get an opportunity to torment Canute once more.
She was washing in the side kitchen, singing loudly as
she worked. Mary was on her knees, blacking the stove and scolding
violently about the young man who was coming out from town that
night. The young man had committed the fatal error of laughing at
Mary's ceaseless babble and had never been forgiven.
"He is no good, and you will come to a bad end by running with
him! I do not see why a daughter of mine should act so. I do not
The Troll Garden and Selected Stories |
