If you had the tool needed to change the lives of your closest friends, would you give it to them? This is what Dr. Heidegger did for four of his friends in the short story “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment,” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this story, Dr. Heidegger found the fountain of youth and offered it to some of his oldest friends in exchange for them letting him observe its effects. These friends agreed to the experiment and became elated after drinking the water, discovering themselves to be in the prime of their lives again. The character of Dr. Heidegger in “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” attempted to give four individuals happier, healthier lives; choosing them due to their misery in their own age, keeping them safe throughout sharing
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He knew that his friends were not content with the way their lives had panned out, so he set up an experiment that would bring them their satisfaction with life back. Sharing a great discovery with them that he could have just kept to himself, he said, “And all of you, my respected friends, are welcome to so much of this admirable fluid as may restore to you the bloom of youth. For my own part, having had much trouble in growing old, I am in no hurry to grow young again” (70). Dr. Heidegger took a step back and allowed his friends to get their lives back, therefore wanting to see his peers refine their lives. He provided them with them the right set of circumstances to do so as well. Heidegger even offered his best advice before the test began, stating, “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 particular advantages, you should not become patterns of virtue and wisdom to all the young people of the age” (71). Dr. Heidegger gave his four friends his best recommendations, as this experiment was his way of bettering his subjects’ lives. The set-up of the experiment by Dr. Heidegger allowed it to go as well as possible, as he did all he could to give his friends the best chance at refining their
He knew that his friends were not content with the way their lives had panned out, so he set up an experiment that would bring them their satisfaction with life back. Sharing a great discovery with them that he could have just kept to himself, he said, “And all of you, my respected friends, are welcome to so much of this admirable fluid as may restore to you the bloom of youth. For my own part, having had much trouble in growing old, I am in no hurry to grow young again” (70). Dr. Heidegger took a step back and allowed his friends to get their lives back, therefore wanting to see his peers refine their lives. He provided them with them the right set of circumstances to do so as well. Heidegger even offered his best advice before the test began, stating, “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 particular advantages, you should not become patterns of virtue and wisdom to all the young people of the age” (71). Dr. Heidegger gave his four friends his best recommendations, as this experiment was his way of bettering his subjects’ lives. The set-up of the experiment by Dr. Heidegger allowed it to go as well as possible, as he did all he could to give his friends the best chance at refining their