Dr. Heidegger’s Dr. Heidegger’s ExperimentExperiment

By Nathaniel HawthorneBy Nathaniel Hawthorne

Literary term for this story:Literary term for this story:

Allegory: A work in which each Allegory: A work in which each element symbolizes, or represents, element symbolizes, or represents, something else.something else.

(In this story, each of the characters (In this story, each of the characters represents something people strive represents something people strive to have in their youth).to have in their youth).

Four characters: four Four characters: four symbolssymbols

Mr. Medbourne---was a prosperous Mr. Medbourne---was a prosperous merchant----lost his money through merchant----lost his money through “frantic speculation”—represents wealth “frantic speculation”—represents wealth (but lost that wealth through greed)(but lost that wealth through greed)

Colonel Killigrew—was a healthy man—Colonel Killigrew—was a healthy man—lost his health through “pursuit of sinful lost his health through “pursuit of sinful pleasures”—womanizing, drinking, etc. pleasures”—womanizing, drinking, etc. (lost health through lust and gluttony)(lost health through lust and gluttony)

Characters continued:Characters continued:

Mr. Gascoigne—was a corrupt politician—Mr. Gascoigne—was a corrupt politician—now, no one remembers him. He is now, no one remembers him. He is “obscure instead of infamous”—represents “obscure instead of infamous”—represents fame, (lost through his corrupt decisions)fame, (lost through his corrupt decisions)

Widow Wycherly---was a beautiful young Widow Wycherly---was a beautiful young woman---lost respect of those around her woman---lost respect of those around her as a result of “certain scandalous as a result of “certain scandalous stories”—represents beauty, lost through stories”—represents beauty, lost through her bad choices her bad choices

What do these four characters What do these four characters have in common?have in common?

All three men had at one time been All three men had at one time been involved with the Widowinvolved with the Widow

Most important: Most important: Their “greatest misfortune” is that they are Their “greatest misfortune” is that they are

not dead yet! (p. 502)not dead yet! (p. 502) This makes them perfect candidates for the This makes them perfect candidates for the

experiment---they have nothing to lose!experiment---they have nothing to lose!

What about Dr. Heidegger?What about Dr. Heidegger?

He had a chance for love in his He had a chance for love in his youth; what happened?youth; what happened?

Was it his fault? Was it his fault? How does this relate to Dr. H’s How does this relate to Dr. H’s

decision not to participate in the decision not to participate in the experiment? experiment?

Setting: Dr. Heidegger’s Setting: Dr. Heidegger’s StudyStudy

A place ripe for magical/enchanted A place ripe for magical/enchanted events and objectsevents and objects

Skeleton in closetSkeleton in closet Portrait of Sylvia WardPortrait of Sylvia Ward Dusty, old-fashioned, dim, has cobwebsDusty, old-fashioned, dim, has cobwebs Huge books on bookcasesHuge books on bookcases (Think about similarities to House of (Think about similarities to House of

Usher)Usher)

Setting continued:Setting continued:

Mirror—what’s magical about it? Mirror—what’s magical about it? Bronze bust of HippocratesBronze bust of Hippocrates A book of magic: large black folio volumeA book of magic: large black folio volume

Bound in black leather—silver claspsBound in black leather—silver clasps When dusted, what happens?When dusted, what happens?

Skeleton rattlesSkeleton rattles Sylvia “steps out” of the pictureSylvia “steps out” of the picture Faces appear in mirrorFaces appear in mirror Bronze bust says “forbear”Bronze bust says “forbear”

The Experiment ItselfThe Experiment Itself

Rose: whose? What happened?Rose: whose? What happened? Reactions of four friends?Reactions of four friends? Dr. H mentions Ponce de Leon and Dr. H mentions Ponce de Leon and

the Fountain of Youth, but he never the Fountain of Youth, but he never says directly that the water is says directly that the water is actually from the fountain of youthactually from the fountain of youth

Colonel Killigrew asks about the Colonel Killigrew asks about the effect on humanseffect on humans

Rules of experimentRules of experiment

Dr. Heidegger mentions their Dr. Heidegger mentions their “peculiar advantages”—which are?“peculiar advantages”—which are?

What advice does he give them?What advice does he give them? How do they respond? Why?How do they respond? Why?

They laugh---how ridiculous is the notion They laugh---how ridiculous is the notion that we will repeat our mistakesthat we will repeat our mistakes

Before the first drink…Before the first drink…

No four people needed it more!No four people needed it more!

References to water as alcohol:References to water as alcohol: Bubbles like champagneBubbles like champagne Effects are temporaryEffects are temporary Called “the youth liquor”Called “the youth liquor”

After first drink:After first drink:

Result:Result: Feel alive againFeel alive again ““healthy suffusion” on their cheekshealthy suffusion” on their cheeks Sunshine comes through window at Sunshine comes through window at

same momentsame moment

They want more and demand it right They want more and demand it right awayaway

After second drink:After second drink:

Hawthorne asks, “Was it delusion?”Hawthorne asks, “Was it delusion?” Four guests are now middle-agedFour guests are now middle-aged What do they start doing?What do they start doing?

Widow: looking at self in mirrorWidow: looking at self in mirror Colonel: flirts with WidowColonel: flirts with Widow Mr. G: talking politics non-stopMr. G: talking politics non-stop Mr. M: invents crazy business ideaMr. M: invents crazy business idea

Between 2Between 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd drink drink

Already, they are back to their old Already, they are back to their old mistakes!mistakes!

Describe Dr. Heidegger:Describe Dr. Heidegger: Observant, coolObservant, cool ““Venerable”Venerable” ““Gray dignity of aspect”Gray dignity of aspect” Compared to Father TimeCompared to Father Time

After 3After 3rdrd drink: drink:

Result: “Happy Prime of Youth”Result: “Happy Prime of Youth” Now, what are they doing?Now, what are they doing?

Mocking old people (physical ailments, Mocking old people (physical ailments, glasses, etc)glasses, etc)

Widow asks Dr. H to dance with herWidow asks Dr. H to dance with her Other three gentlemen start to argue Other three gentlemen start to argue

over who will dance with herover who will dance with her

After 3After 3rdrd drink, continued drink, continued

During struggle to see who will dance During struggle to see who will dance together, mirror reflects……together, mirror reflects……

What happens to the vase?What happens to the vase? What happens to the rose?What happens to the rose? How do the guests react?How do the guests react?

End of experimentEnd of experiment

What does Dr. Heidegger tell his What does Dr. Heidegger tell his friends? Would he drink the water? friends? Would he drink the water? Why or why not?Why or why not?

Did the four friends learn a lesson? Did the four friends learn a lesson? How do we know?How do we know?

Real or imaginary?Real or imaginary?

Was the water actually from the Was the water actually from the fountain of youth?fountain of youth? Evidence can support either sideEvidence can support either side

Hawthorne’s stance (theme):Hawthorne’s stance (theme): When human beings get a chance to correct When human beings get a chance to correct

a mistake, they usually make a bad choice a mistake, they usually make a bad choice and repeat it. and repeat it.