| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Two Poets by Honore de Balzac: her face. There was a cavalier air about her, a something that seems
at first original, but only suited to women of adventurous life. So
this education, and the consequent asperities of character, which
would have been softened down in a higher social sphere, could only
serve to make her ridiculous at Angouleme so soon as her adorers
should cease to worship eccentricities that charm only in youth.
As for M. de Negrepelisse, he would have given all his daughter's
books to save the life of a sick bullock; and so miserly was he, that
he would not have given her two farthings over and above the allowance
to which she had a right, even if it had been a question of some
indispensable trifle for her education.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Adam Bede by George Eliot: notice of the pretty little thing and stealing a kiss now and
then. You're such a grave, steady fellow, you don't understand
the temptation to such trifling. I'm sure I wouldn't bring any
trouble or annoyance on her and the good Poysers on any account if
I could help it. But I think you look a little too seriously at
it. You know I'm going away immediately, so I shan't make any
more mistakes of the kind. But let us say good-night"--Arthur
here turned round to walk on--"and talk no more about the matter.
The whole thing will soon be forgotten."
"No, by God!" Adam burst out with rage that could be controlled no
longer, throwing down the basket of tools and striding forward
Adam Bede |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Eugenie Grandet by Honore de Balzac: can dare to be so bold. Once enlightened, virtue makes her
calculations as well as vice. Eugenie, who had not trembled beside her
cousin, could scarcely stand upon her legs when she regained her
chamber. Her ignorant life had suddenly come to an end; she reasoned,
she rebuked herself with many reproaches.
"What will he think of me? He will think that I love him!"
That was what she most wished him to think. An honest love has its own
prescience, and knows that love begets love. What an event for this
poor solitary girl thus to have entered the chamber of a young man!
Are there not thoughts and actions in the life of love which to
certain souls bear the full meaning of the holiest espousals? An hour
Eugenie Grandet |
