’s Experiment Essay, Research Paper
Analysis: Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment
“If all stories were true, Dr. Heidegger’s study must have been a very curious place.”(p.2). From the very start we are warned that the stories about Dr. Heidegger may not be true. This becomes important in analyzation because we can no longer depend on the stories as fact, but at the same time we have no reason to doubt them.
Dr. Heidegger is known to be a peculiar man, and it is said that he held consultations with a bronze bust of Hippocrates. His study is filled with many intriguing items. Such as a mirror hung between two bookcases which supposedly houses the ghosts of his deceased patients. But above all curiosities, was a bound black leather folio volume with massive silver clasps, which contained mysteries yet to be known.
It seems that the more one looks in detail at the story, the less alive the four old people become. In the beginning Hawthorne refers to them as “not long ago in their graves,” (p.1) and as those “who had been unfortunate in life,” (p.1) from this we can see that they are actually six feet under, or dead.
There are many areas to be examined in “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment,” one of which being the tall mirror in the study. This mirror is said to house the spirits of all the doctor’s deceased patients. Later on the mirror reflects the figures of the old people and they appear as “?old, gray, withered? ?skinny ugliness?”(p.7) from this it can be concluded that they really are spirits, and are just being reflected as living beings.
It appears that the old people are sitting in Dr. Heidegger’s study, but at the same time it seems that they might not actually be there. Dr. Heidegger speaks with them as if they are living, however it seems more likely that they are sitting there in a ghostly presence and Dr. Heidegger is attempting to bring them back to life.
“Before you drink, my respectable old friends,” said he, “it would be well that, with the experience of a lifetime to direct you, you should draw up a few general rules for your guidance, in passing a second time through the perils of youth. Think what a sin and shame it would be, if, with your peculiar advantages, you should not become patterns of virtue and wisdom to all the young people of the age.”
The doctor’s four venerable friends made him no answer, except by a feeble and tremulous laugh; so very ridiculous was the idea, that, knowing how closely repentance treads behind the steps of error, they should ever go astray again.” (p.4)
This could be seen as foreshadowing, as a warning that the old people, when returning to youth or life, would once again act recklessly and foolishly. It becomes obvious that the four are unwilling to wait a moment to become young and alive again. They desire youth more then anything else. “You have been a long time growing old. Surely you might be content to grow young in half an hour!” (p.5), their hurriedness to grow young is perhaps symbolic that they are still young at heart, but have been ignorant to this because of their condition and or stamina.
The four people involved are very superficial, especially the widow. “?She stood before the mirror?” (p.6), it seems none of them could handle the aging process and only wanted to return to their youth. They felt that because their appearances were old, that they too must be old and decrepit. Their ignorance remained with them even after experiencing life once over.
As soon as they were old again they wanted to leave immediately for the Fountain of Youth, so that they would never again have to be old. These four sad old people were not able to see the beauty of their age and wisdom, instead they sought to look beautiful and young. Dr. Heidegger wanted to watch them grow young, to see if they might realize that being old is not such a terrible thing, and that one can pass on their wisdom to the youth of the age.
It is also important to realize that they may not have even been young again. Maybe it was just their imagination running wild, due to the intoxicating fluids Dr. Heidegger gave them. Or perhaps they just believed that they were young, so that they felt young. The power of the human mind should never be doubted. Hypochondriacs are a perfect example of this, they can think themselves ill. One can set their mind to anything, including becoming young again.
Were these people truly young? Were these people even living? As is typical with Hawthorne, everything is described in a hazy state, so that the reader is unsure and must make his or her own assumptions. It is undoubtedly certain that they felt young, and believed that they were young again. However, it is unlikely that they were actually young again. It seems rather foolish to believe such a fountain could exist.
Never knowing whether or not these people are old living people, or dead beings revived with spirits, it is hard to assume a position in analysis of the story. Although the ‘death’ theory is a good and plausible one, perhaps there are other ways to see the same story.
One view in particular is that of the importance of youth. At the beginning of the story Dr. Heidegger wants to watch the four old people and see what happens when they drink the Water of Youth. It appears that he is interested in the after effects of youth, to see if youth is worth having again. He shows how the water effects the rose, and allows it to return to its youthful state, and then invites the four people to enjoy the same return to youth.
While drinking the Water of Youth, the old people feel young and lively, and they return to their old habits of youthful rivalry over beauty. The doctor watches and learns from them that youth is not all that it seems. In the end he tells them that no matter what, he would never drink from the fountain of youth because it would only return him to his old habits and ways. As is displayed with the butterfly, when the vase is broken, and the Water of Youth is spilled on the floor, the people return to their horrid elderly state of death, and want only to be young again.
Looking at the story from either perspective gives the impression that people should value youth, learn from their experiences, and enjoy their old age and wisdom. Although the four old people do not learn from their experiences, the readers should, and hopefully will learn that there is more to life then being vain and ignorant.
Другие работы по теме:
Philosophy Of Language Essay Research Paper Man
Philosophy Of Language Essay, Research Paper Man initially thought that language afforded him a better knowledge of things rather than merely a designation of things. However, this is based on an exact notion of things, and no exactness exists; identity can only be conceptual, for there is nothing in life that is identical.
What Is The Significance Of Hu Essay
, Research Paper Martin Heidegger (1889 1976) was, and still is considered to be, along with the likes of Soren Kierkegaard, Edmund Husserl and Jean-Paul Sartre, one of the principal exponents of 20th century Existentialism. An extraordinarily original thinker, a critic of technological society and the leading Ontologist of his time, Heidegger s philosophy became a primary influence upon the thoughts of the younger generations of continental European cultural personalities of his time.
Cabinet Survival And Competing Risk Essay Research
Paper Cabinet Survival and Competing Risk Daniel Diermeir and Randy Stevenson attempt to solve a recent controversy in the study of cabinet termination pertaining to the shape of hazard rates. There were two analysis one by Warwick which provided evidence that cabinets are more likely to terminate the longer they are in office.
Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay Research Paper 2
Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay, Research Paper “Dr Heidegger’s Experiment” An eccentric aging physician, Dr. Heidegger, calls together his old friends and contemporaries to test his waters of the “fountain of
Martin Heidegger Essay Research Paper Note The
Martin Heidegger Essay, Research Paper Note: The main work from which text was drawn is “The Question Concerning Technology” by Martin Heidegger. Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher, who developed existential
Cheers A Semiotic Analysis By Berger Essay
, Research Paper Cheers : A Semiotic Analysis by Berger In Arthur Asa Berger s essay, he conducts a semiotic analysis of the comedy television show Cheers. In his analysis of the show he points out many characteristics that refer to semiotics. Even though one could not agree with all of his findings, many of them are reasonable.
Flashing Red Lights Essay Research Paper FLASHING
Flashing Red Lights Essay, Research Paper FLASHING RED LIGHTS ?Help, help!? cried the little girl, ? my mommy is on the floor and she?s not breathing.? The 911 dispatcher tried to calm the little girl. She told her that everything is going to be ok and that the paramedics were on their way. As soon as the paramedics arrived they quickly took control of the situation without a moment to spare.
Waterford Crystal A Case Analysis Essay Research
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
Analysis William Cullen Bryan Essay Research Paper
William Cullen Bryant’s “To a Waterfowl” Analysis: By the title of this poem one can only come to the conclusion that the poem is about nature. Bryant loved nature as a young boy. The beginning of this particular poem starts
An Analytical Definition Of Philosophia Essay Research
Paper Men and women have tried for years to define Philosophy. One particularly interesting attempt was made by Martin Heidegger in the late 8th Century. He is reported as saying to his good friend and lover, Patrick Hurley, “Philosophy is one large search for the being-upon another and one long journey into the being-inside.” In this sense, Philosophy is best understand as a search.
Kive Essay Research Paper
# a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Grapes of Wrath, The – Book Summary and Analysis Grapes of Wrath, The – Book Analysis Grapes of Wrath, The – Joads’ Journey Great Expectations – Powerful Themes in the Novel
Dr. Heidegger
’s Experiment Essay, Research Paper Reality or Illusion In Nathaniel Hawthorne?s short story Dr. Heidegger?s Experiment, one of the central ideas of the story revolves around the idea of reality versus illusion. Of course the
What Is The Significance Of Human Mortality
, According To Heidegger? Essay, Research Paper Martin Heidegger (1889 – 1976) was, and still is considered to be, along with the likes of Soren Kierkegaard, Edmund Husserl and Jean-Paul Sartre, one of the principal exponents of 20th century Existentialism. An extraordinarily original thinker, a critic of technological society and the leading Ontologist of his time, Heidegger’s philosophy became a primary influence upon the thoughts of the younger generations of continental European cultural personalities of his time.
Long Term Analysis Essay Research Paper Analysis
Long Term Analysis Essay, Research Paper Analysis by a Long Term Creditor The interest a long term creditor is currently receiving is 5.6%. A long term creditor could receive as much as 22.7% working somewhere else in the same industry. So, currently the industrial average is giving 17.1% more interest than workingat Cameco Corporation, which is quite a big difference.
Hawthorne Comparison Essay Research Paper Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne Comparison Essay, Research Paper Nathaniel Hawthorne has written many short stories that have common themes. One of these common themes is science versus nature and God. Hawthorne was writing during a time when many people were trying to use science to explain phenomenon that had always been attributed to a divine power.
Anaximander Essay Research Paper AnaximanderAbout 530 AD
Anaximander Essay, Research Paper Anaximander About 530 AD the Neoplatonist Simplicius wrote an extensive commentary on Aristotle’s Physics. In it he reproduced the Anaximander fragment, thus preserving it for the western world. He copied it from Theophrastus. From the time Anaximander pronounced his saying–we do not know where or when or to whom–to the moment Simplicius jotted it down in his commentary more than a millennium elapsed.
The Cask Of Amontillado Lit Analysis Essay
, Research Paper Clint Kale 11/22/97 Literary Analysis Literary Analysis: The Cask of Amontillado In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” a character named
Antony Speech Analysis Essay Research Paper Emotional
Antony Speech Analysis Essay, Research Paper Emotional Speech Analysis William Shakespeare?s ?Julius Caesar? is a well-written stage play. Shakespeare included many good speeches in his plays; one of the best was the one delivered by Antony. Antony?s speech came very shortly after Julius Caesar?s death, and the city was in much chaos.
Antony Analysis Essay Research Paper Antony Analysis
Antony Analysis Essay, Research Paper Antony Analysis Short Essay The beauty of William Shakespeare s writing does not lie in his actual writing, but the themes in which his plays suggest. Almost all of his plays can be connected to a higher theme, one that most people can relate. In the play, Antony and Cleopatra, the theme of manipulation runs ramped.
The Old Man And The Sea An
Analysis Essay, Research Paper The Old Man and The Sea: An Analysis I read this book for the first time in high school and I remembered it just as well as if I had read it yesterday. As I read it again I remembered some of the
The Scarlet Letter Literary Analysis Essay Research
Paper The Black Man of the Forest: A Literary Analysis Essay Of The Scarlet Letter In almost every story there are forces of good and evil that are in conflict. The most dangerous of these evils are those that are not obvious. In Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter, the Black Man of the forest is none other than Roger Chillingworth.
Special Relativity Essay Research Paper ESPECIALLY 2
Special Relativity Essay, Research Paper ESPECIALLY … … of Hardy’s Poems as Seen through the characters” is a study concerning Hardy’s capability of presenting irony of situation in his poetry. The analysis deals …
Vision Essay Research Paper Literary analysis Vision
Vision Essay, Research Paper Literary analysis: Vision Out of the Corner of One Eye. The main character of “Vision out of the Corner of One Eye “, a short story by Luisa Valezuela, goes through a complete one hundred-eighty degree change over the course of the story.
Character Analysis Essay Research Paper Character AnalysisAnalyzing
Character Analysis Essay, Research Paper Character Analysis Analyzing a character can explain many things about a character to an audience. A character analysis can be based on small things such as physical characteristics to as complex as a character s thought s of life. Many things such as conflict, setting, point of view, and the author should be considered when analyzing a character.
Othello Act 5 Analysis Essay Research Paper 2
Othello: Act 5 Analysis Essay, Research Paper Othello: Act 5 Analysis Iago’s intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello. He appears to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and
Scarlet Letter 2
Scarlet Letter – Dimmesdale Analysis Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter – Dimmesdale Analysis Character Analysis : Dimmesdale Dimmesdale is one of the most intriguing characters in The Scarlet Letter. I think this because he demonstrates in this story that he is a coward, and that he is strong, yet not courageous.
Soil Analysis Report Essay Research Paper Soil
Soil Analysis Report Essay, Research Paper Soil Analysis Within the next few paragraphs, I will tell you all about the soil sample I collected and did tests on. I got some soil from out of one of my mom’s gardens. This one had a lot of flowers from Florida. This is a summary of what all I did to work on finding everything about my soil.
A Critical Analysis Essay Research Paper A
A Critical Analysis Essay, Research Paper A Critical Analysis of Evelyn Waugh’s “Bella Fleace Gave a Party” In the introduction to “Bella Fleace Gave a Party”, extensive background is revealed to help the reader understand the times in which the character lived. It is a time of enormous change in the political and social structure of these people’s lives.