| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad: The change from the Belgravian square to the narrow street in Soho
affected her legs adversely. They became of an enormous size. On
the other hand, she experienced a complete relief from material
cares. Her son-in-law's heavy good nature inspired her with a
sense of absolute safety. Her daughter's future was obviously
assured, and even as to her son Stevie she need have no anxiety.
She had not been able to conceal from herself that he was a
terrible encumbrance, that poor Stevie. But in view of Winnie's
fondness for her delicate brother, and of Mr Verloc's kind and
generous disposition, she felt that the poor boy was pretty safe in
this rough world. And in her heart of hearts she was not perhaps
The Secret Agent |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells: "I'm not so sure of M'ling," said Montgomery. "I think I ought
to know him."
In the afternoon, Moreau, Montgomery, myself, and M'ling went
across the island to the huts in the ravine. We three were armed;
M'ling carried the little hatchet he used in chopping firewood,
and some coils of wire. Moreau had a huge cowherd's horn slung over
his shoulder.
"You will see a gathering of the Beast People," said Montgomery.
"It is a pretty sight!"
Moreau said not a word on the way, but the expression of his heavy,
white-fringed face was grimly set.
The Island of Doctor Moreau |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Don Quixote by Miquel de Cervantes: time withheld it; and just as I thought she was taking out the
dagger to save her honour, or struggling for words to make some
declaration of the truth on my behalf, I heard her say in a faint
and feeble voice, 'I will:' Don Fernando said the same, and giving her
the ring they stood linked by a knot that could never be loosed. The
bridegroom then approached to embrace his bride; and she, pressing her
hand upon her heart, fell fainting in her mother's arms. It only
remains now for me to tell you the state I was in when in that consent
that I heard I saw all my hopes mocked, the words and promises of
Luscinda proved falsehoods, and the recovery of the prize I had that
instant lost rendered impossible for ever. I stood stupefied, wholly
Don Quixote |
