| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: There was no more to be said, so we waited in patience until the dawn,
at which time we might learn more from Mrs. Harker.
Early this morning we listened, with breathless anxiety,
for her response in her trance. The hypnotic stage was even
longer in coming than before, and when it came the time remaining
until full sunrise was so short that we began to despair.
Van Helsing seemed to throw his whole soul into the effort.
At last, in obedience to his will she made reply.
"All is dark. I hear lapping water, level with me, and some
creaking as of wood on wood." She paused, and the red sun shot up.
We must wait till tonight.
Dracula |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Twelve Stories and a Dream by H. G. Wells: I rang the bell at the lattice-door upon the landing.
"He shouldn't have tried it, anyhow," I said to myself. "A man who
eats like a pig ought to look like a pig."
An obviously worthy woman, with an anxious face and a carelessly
placed cap, came and surveyed me through the lattice.
I gave my name and she let me in in a dubious fashion.
"Well?" said I, as we stood together inside Pyecraft's piece of the
landing.
"'E said you was to come in if you came," she said, and regarded me,
making no motion to show me anywhere. And then, confidentially,
"'E's locked in, sir."
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