Dr. Heidegger's Experiment, By Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Romantic Period was a time in literature history where people began to emphasize on emotion and individualism instead of referring back to their roots of intellect. Areas of music, art, literary, and intellectual thoughts were transformed into new definitions that reflected what the people were truly feeling during this era. Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment was a quintessential example for this period as the character in the story underwent the experiment of drinking the clear, bubbly liquid. All four control factors of the testing came from different backgrounds ranging from youth to money and even power and beauty. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote this story to show the brain power behind the motives of these four subjects that related to real world
The setting of this story portrays the stereotypical mad scientist lair as it is dark and mysterious with cobwebs and concurring experiments going on all around. The four elderly friends of Heidegger are introduced as Colonel Kiligrew, Mr. Melbourne, Mr. Gascoigne, and Widow Wycherly. All of these colleagues were invited to participate in the tasting of the mythical Fountain of Youth and the mean have a history of fighting of the attention of the beloved widow. In the elaboration of the research, Dr. Heidegger says to them “I am desirous of your assistance in one of those little experiments with which I amuse myself here in my study.” This quote shows his reassuring state to them as he can feel their curiosity roaming throughout the air. One of the major points of emphasis that the doctor reveals is the dead rose. He takes the wilted rose, drops it into the vase of liquid, and takes it out to show that the flower has been rejuvenated. Dr. Heidegger says, “This rose, this same withered and crumbling flower, blossomed five and fifty years ago…”, he gives the background information of the rose to show what power this water actually possessed. After further explanation of the procedure, he warned his subjects to not repeat the .same mistakes that they once did before when they were younger. As the elixir began to wear off after they had drank away, their
The major portion of definition that gave truth to this was the quality or state of being impractical or unrealistic. In the experiment, the four drank an unknown liquid and expected it to turn them young again. Considering the setting and other withheld information, makes the water being from the Fountain of Youth unbelievable. Also, the fact that the Fountain of Youth is a fictional thing makes them actually believing they would be young again out of the norm. In addition to the experiment appearing outrageous, the self-gain that is possible in drinking the solution can also been seen as a part of the Romantic Era. Referring back to the definition of Romanticism was the transition of thought to more focus on the individual. All four individuals had previous transgressions that caused them to bicker and argue over pointless demands. The individualism was apparent as they were focused on fixing themselves and not learning from what Dr. Heidegger was trying to teach them. “But they were young; their burning passions proved them so.” is a quote from the story that reflects how the individuals began to act once the elixir had been taken. Self-centeredness was the root of the problems for these characters and Dr. Heidegger’s experiment proved that when people are often given a second chance to learn from their