| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herbert West: Reanimator by H. P. Lovecraft: in the afternoon to a case which ended very threateningly. An
Italian woman had become hysterical over her missing child --
a lad of five who had strayed off early in the morning and failed
to appear for dinner -- and had developed symptoms highly alarming
in view of an always weak heart. It was a very foolish hysteria,
for the boy had often run away before; but Italian peasants are
exceedingly superstitious, and this woman seemed as much harassed
by omens as by facts. About seven o’clock in the evening she had
died, and her frantic husband had made a frightful scene in his
efforts to kill West, whom he wildly blamed for not saving her
life. Friends had held him when he drew a stiletto, but West departed
Herbert West: Reanimator |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Bronte Sisters: between myself and my dog, her son derived a great deal of pleasure
from the acquaintance that he would not otherwise have known, she
ceased to object, and even welcomed my coming with a smile.
As for Arthur, he would shout his welcome from afar, and run to
meet me fifty yards from his mother's side. If I happened to be on
horseback he was sure to get a canter or a gallop; or, if there was
one of the draught horses within an available distance, he was
treated to a steady ride upon that, which served his turn almost as
well; but his mother would always follow and trudge beside him -
not so much, I believe, to ensure his safe conduct, as to see that
I instilled no objectionable notions into his infant mind, for she
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Jolly Corner by Henry James: I had accepted him."
"'Accepted' - ?" Brydon oddly sounded.
"Before, for the interest of his difference - yes. And as I didn't
disown him, as I knew him - which you at last, confronted with him
in his difference, so cruelly didn't, my dear, - well, he must have
been, you see, less dreadful to me. And it may have pleased him
that I pitied him."
She was beside him on her feet, but still holding his hand - still
with her arm supporting him. But though it all brought for him
thus a dim light, "You 'pitied' him?" he grudgingly, resentfully
asked.
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Twilight Land by Howard Pyle: old nails for?" said he.
"You took the pie of your own choice," said the rich man;
"nevertheless, I meant you no harm. Lodge with me here one night,
and in the morning I will give you something better worth while,
maybe."
So that night the rich man had his wife bake two loaves of bread,
in one of which she hid the bag with the three hundred pieces of
gold money.
"Go to the pantry," said the rich man to the beggar in the
morning, "and there you will find two loaves of bread--one is for
you and one for me; take whichever one you choose."
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