| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Art of Writing by Robert Louis Stevenson: uncomely. There is then another element of comeliness
hitherto overlooked in this analysis: the contents of the
phrase. Each phrase in literature is built of sounds, as
each phrase in music consists of notes. One sound suggests,
echoes, demands, and harmonises with another; and the art of
rightly using these concordances is the final art in
literature. It used to be a piece of good advice to all
young writers to avoid alliteration; and the advice was
sound, in so far as it prevented daubing. None the less for
that, was it abominable nonsense, and the mere raving of
those blindest of the blind who will not see. The beauty of
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Chance by Joseph Conrad: was changed.
"As to that," said young Powell, "it is impossible for me to judge."
"Good Lord!" whispered the mate. "An educated, clever young fellow
like you with a pair of eyes on him and some sense too! Is that how
a happy man looks? Eh? Young you may be, but you aren't a kid; and
I dare you to say 'Yes!'"
Mr. Powell did not take up the challenge. He did not know what to
think of the mate's view. Still, it seemed as if it had opened his
understanding in a measure. He conceded that the captain did not
look very well.
"Not very well," repeated the mate mournfully. "Do you think a man
Chance |
