In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment,” the titular character is a mysterious medical doctor who conducts an experiment on his four elderly friends.
But what does Dr. Heidegger represent beyond his role in the story?
Through his actions and symbolism, Dr. Heidegger embodies themes of morality, rationality, and the consequences of one’s past actions.
Join us as we delve deeper into the character of Dr. Heidegger and explore what he represents in this timeless tale.
What Does Dr Heidegger Represent
Dr. Heidegger represents a complex mix of morality and rationality. As a medical doctor, he is expected to be rational and scientific in his approach to life. However, his study is filled with magical objects and his experiment involves magical water from the Fountain of Youth, which suggests that he is not wholly rational.
Furthermore, Dr. Heidegger’s experiment is designed to test the hypothesis that youth is inseparable from folly. This moral hypothesis suggests that as people age, they become wiser and more moral. However, Dr. Heidegger’s own behavior is left open-ended. On the one hand, he seems moral because he does not drink the magical water, so he does not succumb to foolish behavior. On the other hand, he baits his elderly friends into indulging their worst impulses.
Dr. Heidegger’s past also plays a significant role in what he represents. He has experimented on many patients in the past, and every time he looks into the mirror, he sees the ghosts of his patients who are dead because of his experiments and failures as a doctor. This realization leads him to accept his mistakes and learn from them.
In addition, Dr. Heidegger’s wife died from accidentally taking his medication, which further reinforces his sense of guilt and responsibility for his past actions.
The Experiment: Setting The Stage For Dr. Heidegger’s Character
The experiment that Dr. Heidegger conducts on his four elderly friends sets the stage for his character. He invites his friends to his eerie study, which is filled with magical objects, including a magic black book, a skeleton in a closet, and a mirror that supposedly contains the visages of Heidegger’s dead patients. The setting of the experiment is dark and mysterious, which adds to the overall feeling of unease and uncertainty.
Dr. Heidegger presents his guests with four empty champagne glasses and an ornate vase full of clear, bubbling liquid. He takes an old, withered rose, drops it into the vase, and shows his guests that it has in fact been rejuvenated to a fresh-blooming flower. Dr. Heidegger then claims that the liquid in the vase is water from the mythical Fountain of Youth. He would like their help in an experiment: they drink the water, he sits back and watches.
The guests are clearly skeptical, but they agree to participate in the experiment. Before they drink, Dr. Heidegger warns them not to make the same mistakes they did the first time they were young. The guests drink, and they believe they have grown young again. (Whether or not they actually are physically transformed is ambiguous.) Of course, they act like fools, and the three men end up wrestling each other for the Widow’s attention.
The experiment reveals Dr. Heidegger’s complex character. On the one hand, he seems moral because he does not drink the magical water, so he does not succumb to foolish behavior. On the other hand, though, he baits his elderly friends into indulging their worst impulses. This suggests that Dr. Heidegger is not only interested in testing his hypothesis but also in observing human behavior.
Morality In Dr. Heidegger’s Actions
Dr. Heidegger’s actions in the story reveal a complicated moral character. On the one hand, he is conducting an experiment that involves tempting his elderly friends with the promise of youth and beauty, knowing full well that they will fall back into their old ways. This could be seen as morally questionable, as he is essentially manipulating his friends for his own amusement.
However, on the other hand, Dr. Heidegger’s experiment can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of youth and the importance of learning from one’s mistakes. He carefully selects his subjects, ensuring that each has a yearning for youthfulness, and he watches their behavior closely to see if they are willing to redeem themselves from past mistakes, given the chance.
Furthermore, Dr. Heidegger’s decision not to drink the magical water himself can be interpreted as a moral choice. He recognizes the potential dangers of trying to relive one’s youth and chooses not to participate in the experiment himself.
Rationality And Its Limits In Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment
Despite being a medical doctor, Dr. Heidegger’s experiment in “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” is not wholly rational. His study is filled with magical objects and his experiment involves magical water from the Fountain of Youth. This suggests that he is open to exploring ideas beyond traditional scientific methods.
Moreover, Dr. Heidegger’s experiment is not solely focused on the science of the elixir. He is more interested in observing the behavior of his guests once they are “young again.” This shows that his experiment has more to do with philosophy than science.
Dr. Heidegger also acknowledges the limits of rationality when he warns his guests before they drink the elixir to draw up a few general rules for their guidance, in passing a second time through the perils of youth. This suggests that rationality alone may not be enough to guide one through life’s challenges.
Furthermore, Dr. Heidegger’s own behavior during the experiment is left open-ended. On one hand, he seems moral because he does not drink the magical water, so he does not succumb to foolish behavior. On the other hand, he baits his elderly friends into indulging their worst impulses, which suggests a lack of rationality and morality.
The Consequences Of One’s Past Actions: Dr. Heidegger’s Reflections
Dr. Heidegger’s reflections on his past actions are a significant aspect of his character and what he represents. He is haunted by the ghosts of his deceased patients, which serves as a constant reminder of his past mistakes and failures as a doctor. This realization leads him to accept responsibility for his actions and learn from them.
Dr. Heidegger’s experiment can be seen as an attempt to redeem himself for his past mistakes. By testing the hypothesis that youth is inseparable from folly, he hopes to gain insight into the human condition and perhaps even find a cure for the ailments that plagued his patients in the past.
However, Dr. Heidegger’s experiment also reveals the consequences of one’s past actions. His elderly friends, who are given a second chance at youth, do not learn from their past mistakes and instead repeat them. This serves as a cautionary tale that no matter how many chances one is given, if they do not learn from their past mistakes, they will continue to suffer the same consequences.
Dr. Heidegger’s reflections on his past actions also show that redemption is possible if one accepts responsibility for their mistakes and learns from them. His willingness to confront his past and strive for redemption sets him apart from his elderly friends, who are unable to break free from their past mistakes.
Symbolism In Dr. Heidegger’s Character And Its Significance
Symbolism plays a significant role in defining Dr. Heidegger’s character and his significance in the story. The vase filled with water from the Fountain of Youth is the central symbol of the story, representing the fleeting nature of life and the desire to recapture youth. Dr. Heidegger’s experiment with his elderly friends is also symbolic, representing the idea that wisdom comes with age and that youth is inseparable from folly.
The black book with magic spells and the rose are other symbols that add depth to Dr. Heidegger’s character. The book represents the supernatural and mystical side of his personality, while the rose symbolizes his past love and passion for life. The withered rose represents death and the fleeting nature of time, while the revived rose symbolizes hope and the possibility of new beginnings.
The mirror in Dr. Heidegger’s study is another significant symbol that reflects his past mistakes and failures as a doctor. The ghastly faces that peep forth from it represent the ghosts of his dead patients, including his wife, who died because of his experiments and failures. The mirror serves as a reminder to Dr. Heidegger that he must learn from his past mistakes and move on instead of dwelling on them.
In conclusion, symbolism is a crucial element in defining Dr. Heidegger’s character and his significance in the story. The vase, black book, rose, and mirror all contribute to our understanding of his complex personality, morality, and past experiences as a doctor.
