| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Riverman by Stewart Edward White: heave and shrugging of the jam, and the low threatening gurgle of
hurrying waters reminded the toil-weary men of the enemy's continued
activity. Over beyond the rise of land that lay between the river
and Stearn's Bayou could be seen the cloud of mingled smoke and
steam that marked the activities of the dredge. For ten minutes
they rested in the solace of tobacco. Orde was apparently more at
ease than any of the rest, but each instant he expected to hear the
premonitory CRACK that would sound the end of everything. Finally
he yawned, knocked the ashes from his pipe, and got to his feet.
"Now," said he, a new ring in his voice, "come on and let's get
something DONE!"
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Girl with the Golden Eyes by Honore de Balzac: this great city have their foundations in filth, which the powers that
be have not yet seriously attempted to enclose with mortar walls solid
enough to prevent even the most fetid mud from filtering through the
soil, poisoning the wells, and maintaining subterraneously to Lutetia
the tradition of her celebrated name. Half of Paris sleeps amidst the
putrid exhalations of courts and streets and sewers. But let us turn
to the vast saloons, gilded and airy; the hotels in their gardens, the
rich, indolent, happy moneyed world. There the faces are lined and
scarred with vanity. There nothing is real. To seek for pleasure is it
not to find /ennui/? People in society have at an early age warped
their nature. Having no occupation other than to wallow in pleasure,
The Girl with the Golden Eyes |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Menexenus by Plato: their fathers' virtues; for the sake of the omen, she would have them from
the first begin to rule over their own houses arrayed in the strength and
arms of their fathers. And as for the dead, she never ceases honouring
them, celebrating in common for all rites which become the property of
each; and in addition to this, holding gymnastic and equestrian contests,
and musical festivals of every sort. She is to the dead in the place of a
son and heir, and to their sons in the place of a father, and to their
parents and elder kindred in the place of a guardian--ever and always
caring for them. Considering this, you ought to bear your calamity the
more gently; for thus you will be most endeared to the dead and to the
living, and your sorrows will heal and be healed. And now do you and all,
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