| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad: been so oppressed by his sense of guilt. This is
why, perhaps, my face was set hard and my voice
curt and unemotional while I made my declaration
that I could do nothing more for the sick in the way
of drugs. As to such care as could be given them
they knew they had had it.
I would have held them justified in tearing me
limb from limb. The silence which followed upon
my words was almost harder to bear than the
angriest uproar. I was crushed by the infinite
depth of its reproach. But, as a matter of fact, I
The Shadow Line |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lysis by Plato: your father Democrates, and your mother, do permit you to do many things
already, and do not wait until you are of age: for example, if they want
anything read or written, you, I presume, would be the first person in the
house who is summoned by them.
Very true.
And you would be allowed to write or read the letters in any order which
you please, or to take up the lyre and tune the notes, and play with the
fingers, or strike with the plectrum, exactly as you please, and neither
father nor mother would interfere with you.
That is true, he said.
Then what can be the reason, Lysis, I said, why they allow you to do the
Lysis |
