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Dr. Heidegger's Experiment
Do your students enjoy a good laugh? Do they like to be scared? Or do they just like a book with a happy ending? No matter what their taste, our Creative Short Stories series has the answer.We've taken some of the world's best stories from dark, musty anthologies and brought them into the light, giving them the individual attention they deserve. Each book in the series has been designed with today's young reader in mind. As the words come to life, students will develop a lasting appreciation for great literature.
The humor of Mark Twain...the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe...the danger of Jack London...the sensitivity of Katherine Mansfield. Creative Short Stories has it all and will prove to be a welcome addition to any library.
The humor of Mark Twain...the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe...the danger of Jack London...the sensitivity of Katherine Mansfield. Creative Short Stories has it all and will prove to be a welcome addition to any library.
37 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1837
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669 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Hawthorne
5,100 books3,424 followersNathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.
Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.
Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.
Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 28, 2019
First published anonymously as “The Fountain of Youth” in the Knickerbocker or New York Monthly Magazine (1837), this story tells us of an experiment involving the effects of water obtained from the fabled fountain. Dr. Heidegger invites four superannuated acquaintances (Colonel Pettigrew the gouty roue, Mr. Medbourne the failed merchant/speculator, Mr Gascoigne the disgraced politician, and the Widow Wycherly, a once-celebrated beauty tarnished by scandal). The experiment? Offering all three the water of youth, and observing what effects it has upon them.
Superficially, this piece is not much different from any of Hawthorne’s early moral tales, but the precision with which the behavior of the four experimental subjects is described is memorable, and even more so is this wonderful gothic description of the old physician's study:
It was a dim, old-fashioned chamber, festooned with cobwebs, and besprinkled with antique dust. Around the walls stood several oaken bookcases, the lower shelves of which were filled with rows of gigantic folios and black-letter quartos, and the upper with little parchment-covered duodecimos. Over the central bookcase was a bronze bust of Hippocrates, with which, according to some authorities, Dr. Heidegger was accustomed to hold consultations in all difficult cases of his practice. In the obscurest corner of the room stood a tall and narrow oaken closet, with its door ajar, within which doubtfully appeared a skeleton. Between two of the bookcases hung a looking-glass, presenting its high and dusty plate within a tarnished gilt frame. Among many wonderful stories related of this mirror, it was fabled that the spirits of all the doctor's deceased patients dwelt within its verge, and would stare him in the face whenever he looked thitherward. The opposite side of the chamber was ornamented with the full-length portrait of a young lady, arrayed in the faded magnificence of silk, satin, and brocade, and with a visage as faded as her dress. Above half a century ago, Dr. Heidegger had been on the point of marriage with this young lady; but, being affected with some slight disorder, she had swallowed one of her lover's prescriptions, and died on the bridal evening. The greatest curiosity of the study remains to be mentioned; it was a ponderous folio volume, bound in black leather, with massive silver clasps. There were no letters on the back, and nobody could tell the title of the book. But it was well known to be a book of magic; and once, when a chambermaid had lifted it, merely to brush away the dust, the skeleton had rattled in its closet, the picture of the young lady had stepped one foot upon the floor, and several ghastly faces had peeped forth from the mirror; while the brazen head of Hippocrates frowned, and said--"Forbear!"Edgar Allan Poe liked this story, observing that it was "exceedingly well imagined and executed with surpassing ability" and that "the artist breathes in every line of it." No doubt the passage quoted above earned his most sincere admiration.
October 29, 2019
Brilliant classic! Eccentric Dr Heidegger assembles four old friends (look at their names) and is inviting them to a very special experiment. At first he shows how a 55 year old rose of his deceased former soon-to-be wife flourishes up again and tells his friends about the Fountain of Youth. But what about the elderly peoply when they drink from the water the rose got in touch with? What happens with the precious water itself and what is Dr Heidegger's reaction to the change of his friends? Masterly classic and philosophical tale that let's you think about getting old and what a switch back to youth might bring. Will the effect of youth last? I really liked the twist at the end on the plans of the doctor's friends. Absolutely recommended. This is a story with a great moral!
May 1, 2018
Hawthorne wrote this when he was 30-ish; I wonder if it would have been a different story a couple decades later.
June 14, 2017
The Fountain of Youth - still one of western literature's fave fables ! - gets a neato twist in Hawthorne's marvelous hands. Witty, mysterious, even erotic.... a great trip.
July 20, 2013
Dr. Heidegger's Experiment isn't to test the water from the Fountain of Youth. The old flower blooming into life again has already proven that the water works and restores youth and vitality to old, withered things. His true experiment was to see how his "friends" reacted to becoming young again, and to make them as bitter as he is in his old age. Hawthorne displays the ugly side of youth and human nature here. The three friends become hostile, fighting over the widow and demanding more and more of the water. They have an obsession with youth, not happiness. After this water wears off, his friends become old again, joining Heidegger in bitterness and regret. The true lesson here is not about how science or magic is dangerous. It's a warning against humanity's greedy nature.
April 14, 2015
I really liked this deep story of returning to the past. He discovered an equivocal truth in saying that going back into the past to change terrible future events cannot be made because they are inevitable. In this way, it superbly permeates throughout the story that reflection on the past too long is also useless because the past can never change. I love the use of allegory – Hawthorne’s use of objects standing in the way of Hope, Shame, Faith, and Vice. These reveal some eternal passions that lie at the heart of people. Well done.
December 31, 2023
short story for school !!
April 21, 2022
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
2/5 stars
I read this in school, and I wasn't expecting much from it.
I wouldn't say this book was bad, just not my cup of tea. The writing was overly-flowery and descriptive, but not the good kind where I feel immersed in the story or anything. I'm not going to comment on the characters very much, because the fact that it is so short makes it kind of obvious that the characters aren't going to be new favorites or anything.
Over all, this story was fine, just not something I enjoyed or will ever reread.
2/5 stars
I read this in school, and I wasn't expecting much from it.
I wouldn't say this book was bad, just not my cup of tea. The writing was overly-flowery and descriptive, but not the good kind where I feel immersed in the story or anything. I'm not going to comment on the characters very much, because the fact that it is so short makes it kind of obvious that the characters aren't going to be new favorites or anything.
Over all, this story was fine, just not something I enjoyed or will ever reread.
October 7, 2017
Less of a horror story, and more of a cautionary tale.
September 3, 2018
Too old for my tastes. Too slow, to judgemental. Saved by the quirk that is its last sentence.
April 11, 2016
The experiment is about restoring youth ( with an Elixir from the Fountain of Youth) to some old people that have acted foolish in the past and spent their old age regretting the days long gone. With their youth restored they start acting the same as when they were young although they should have known better. It seems experience does not change people. At least that's what the author is trying to say in my opinion.
August 25, 2012
I liked the idea of it, and it was easy to read, but it didnt really go anywhere
July 25, 2014
Read for a course in sci-fi/fantasy literature. A brilliant short story that certainly makes me want to read more stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
April 18, 2020
Great way to explain how people don’t learn from their mistakes.
October 14, 2022
Forever we seek the "Fountain of Youth"! This is the basis of this story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. His writing, which many would consider "dated", was charming to me. It flowed, it was descriptive, it portrayed the action superbly! My book group held an involved, interesting discussion. We are left with the question, "was this tale portraying fiction or reality"? I leave it to other readers for their decisions!
February 24, 2023
2/5
i feel like every time we read a short story it's supposed to teach a lesson but the lesson is really obvious
i didn't gain anything from this story
i feel like every time we read a short story it's supposed to teach a lesson but the lesson is really obvious
i didn't gain anything from this story
August 29, 2017
One of my favorite short stories I have ever read.
December 22, 2019
(Audible)
First published in 1837, this is Nathaniel Hawthorne's spin on The Fountain of Youth.
Dr. Heidegger invites 4 elderly friends over to his house to show them a miraculous experiment. Using water from a special lake in Florida, he revives a dead rose to lush beauty. The four friends are entranced. Oh! To be young again, to live life over free of the mistakes that you've made--they eagerly partake of the water and return to their youthful appearances. (Or do they? Hawthorne tells us that a mirror in the room reflects their aged appearances.)
Returned to youth, they immediately begin repeating the same behavior and mistakes that they committed in there youth. There's a tussle, a fight, and then the vessel of water is broken and the water gone.
The effects of the magical water isn't permanent. The guests return to their elderly forms. Desperate, they plan to head to Florida to find that lake!
Hawthorne raises the moral dilemma, if you had a chance to do things over, would you really change your choices?
RECOMMEND
First published in 1837, this is Nathaniel Hawthorne's spin on The Fountain of Youth.
Dr. Heidegger invites 4 elderly friends over to his house to show them a miraculous experiment. Using water from a special lake in Florida, he revives a dead rose to lush beauty. The four friends are entranced. Oh! To be young again, to live life over free of the mistakes that you've made--they eagerly partake of the water and return to their youthful appearances. (Or do they? Hawthorne tells us that a mirror in the room reflects their aged appearances.)
Returned to youth, they immediately begin repeating the same behavior and mistakes that they committed in there youth. There's a tussle, a fight, and then the vessel of water is broken and the water gone.
The effects of the magical water isn't permanent. The guests return to their elderly forms. Desperate, they plan to head to Florida to find that lake!
Hawthorne raises the moral dilemma, if you had a chance to do things over, would you really change your choices?
RECOMMEND
December 20, 2021
Him: "Where do the subjects go after that night?"
Me: "Florida."
Him: "No, you are wrong, that is where the Fountain of Youth is."
Me: "NO I AM RIGHT HOW CAN YOU TELL ME I'M WRONG YOU DIDN'T EVEN READ IT???"
Me: "Florida."
Him: "No, you are wrong, that is where the Fountain of Youth is."
Me: "NO I AM RIGHT HOW CAN YOU TELL ME I'M WRONG YOU DIDN'T EVEN READ IT???"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2020
This is the most powerful short story i've ever read so far. I didn't expect it will be so compelling short story, It's brilliant! Well done Mr. Hawthorne.
Ini adalah buku Hawthorne pertama yang saya baca, setelah pertama mengenalnya melalui anime Bungo Stray Dog. What? Kok bisa? Ya, karakter di animenya menggunakan nama-nama sastrawan besar dunia. Oke kita lanjut ke ulasan bukunya ya.
Ini adalah karya tentang renungan sang waktu dan penyesalan masa muda. Dr. Heidegger mengundang 4 temannya, mereka ini berada di usia senja yang punya banyak kesalahan dan penyesalan di masa muda. Dr. Heidegger punya sesuatu yang menarik untuk mereka, The Fountain of Youth, air ajaib yang bisa mengembalikan bunga mawar kering menjadi kembali merona. Apa jadinya saat air itu diminum oleh manusia? Mereka kembali menjadi muda. Sebelum mereka meminum air itu Dr. Heidegger memperingati mereka akan sesuatu.
"Before you drink, my friends," the doctor said, "you should draw up a few general rules as guidance before you pass a second time through the dangers of youth. You have had a lifetime of experience to direct you. Think what a shame it would be if the wisdom of your experiences did not act as a guide and teacher."
Tapi mereka sama sekali tak menggubris peringatan itu dan saat hal buruk terjadi mereka malah melakukan kesalahan yang sama saat mereka muda, tak ada bedanya, tak belajar sama sekali dari pengalaman kehidupan. Usia mereka tak lebih hanya angka yang terbuang percuma dan dari hal buruk itu mereka tak mengambil pelajaran sama sekali, malah menjadi tamak dan tak pernah puas. Ohh, memang begitukah sifat manusia? Setidaknya kita semua tidak ingin seperti mereka. Iya kan?
Ini adalah buku Hawthorne pertama yang saya baca, setelah pertama mengenalnya melalui anime Bungo Stray Dog. What? Kok bisa? Ya, karakter di animenya menggunakan nama-nama sastrawan besar dunia. Oke kita lanjut ke ulasan bukunya ya.
Ini adalah karya tentang renungan sang waktu dan penyesalan masa muda. Dr. Heidegger mengundang 4 temannya, mereka ini berada di usia senja yang punya banyak kesalahan dan penyesalan di masa muda. Dr. Heidegger punya sesuatu yang menarik untuk mereka, The Fountain of Youth, air ajaib yang bisa mengembalikan bunga mawar kering menjadi kembali merona. Apa jadinya saat air itu diminum oleh manusia? Mereka kembali menjadi muda. Sebelum mereka meminum air itu Dr. Heidegger memperingati mereka akan sesuatu.
"Before you drink, my friends," the doctor said, "you should draw up a few general rules as guidance before you pass a second time through the dangers of youth. You have had a lifetime of experience to direct you. Think what a shame it would be if the wisdom of your experiences did not act as a guide and teacher."
Tapi mereka sama sekali tak menggubris peringatan itu dan saat hal buruk terjadi mereka malah melakukan kesalahan yang sama saat mereka muda, tak ada bedanya, tak belajar sama sekali dari pengalaman kehidupan. Usia mereka tak lebih hanya angka yang terbuang percuma dan dari hal buruk itu mereka tak mengambil pelajaran sama sekali, malah menjadi tamak dan tak pernah puas. Ohh, memang begitukah sifat manusia? Setidaknya kita semua tidak ingin seperti mereka. Iya kan?
October 2, 2023
"For my own part, having had much trouble in growing old, I am in no hurry to grow young again." -Dr. Heidegger
Dr. Heidegger's Experiment was originally published under the title The Fountain of Youth, anonymously.
In Hawthorne’s story, four characters, three gentlemen, a mendicant, a hedonist, a ruined politician plus a scandalous elderly widow, old Dr. Heidegger excluded, acknowledge the sins of their lives, and declare that they are reformed.
Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Fountain of Youth
However, after drinking glasses of the sparkling water from the fountain of youth they immediately return to behaving as badly as before.
Later Hawthorne published it in a collection of short stories Twice-Told Tales, in 1837 under his name.
The story was fiction, but the four old friends were not. "In real life, these friends were actually figures in English theater and their stories were similar to those of Hawthorne’s story, and all came to grief for their support of Roman Catholicism." https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.c...
Dr. Heidegger's Experiment was originally published under the title The Fountain of Youth, anonymously.
In Hawthorne’s story, four characters, three gentlemen, a mendicant, a hedonist, a ruined politician plus a scandalous elderly widow, old Dr. Heidegger excluded, acknowledge the sins of their lives, and declare that they are reformed.
Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Fountain of Youth
However, after drinking glasses of the sparkling water from the fountain of youth they immediately return to behaving as badly as before.
Later Hawthorne published it in a collection of short stories Twice-Told Tales, in 1837 under his name.
The story was fiction, but the four old friends were not. "In real life, these friends were actually figures in English theater and their stories were similar to those of Hawthorne’s story, and all came to grief for their support of Roman Catholicism." https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.c...
June 28, 2017
A pretty good, and very well written, short story for the time period - like so many short stories from the time period there's about the same amount of time spent on the set up than on the actual plot. I got this from a "sci-fi" selection, but it's definitely more fantasy than sci-fi.
February 24, 2023
this would have been sooooo much better if it is was longer
not like a whole book but like 100 pages?
good try nathaniel
not like a whole book but like 100 pages?
good try nathaniel
October 13, 2024
mucha descripción, poca trama
August 14, 2023
4.5!
Really good short story, might be one of my favorites actually.
Really good short story, might be one of my favorites actually.
March 9, 2020
The tale, depicting the follies of mankind, commences with Dr. Heidegger inviting his four elderly friends to aid him "in performing an exceedingly curious experiment." Dr. Heidegger's guests are three white-bearded gentlemen: Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew and Mr. Gascoigne; the fourth, a withered gentlewoman, the Widow Clara Wycherly. Dr. Heidegger's study: Dr. Heidegger's study is a dim, untidy, old-fashioned chamber replete with cobwebs, "oaken" bookcases, books, a bust of Hippocrates. Besides, the room had a looking-glass with a "tarnished gilt frame" and a portrait of Sylvia Ward. Many years ago, Dr. Heidegger was about to tie the knot with Sylvia Ward but unfortunately, she died unexpectedly after swallowing one of his prescriptions. There was a huge book on magic and it was said that once a maid had lifted the book to dust it when the skeleton had rattled, the lady in the portrait had put one step on the floor and Hippocrates had warned 'Forbear'.
Dr. Heidegger acquaints his guests with the purpose of his invitation to them. Before telling the details of the experiment, Dr. Heidegger shows his guests a "withered and crumbling" rose flower. It was given to him by Sylvia Ward fifty five years ago. Dr. Heidegger dips the flower in a vase containing some fluid. Surprisingly, the rose revives and looks fresh. To Dr. Heidegger's elderly guests it seems "a very pretty deception". On that, Dr. Heidegger tells them about the famous Fountain of Youth, situated in the southern part of the Floridian peninsula. He claims before his guests that this precious elixir may restore the "bloom of youth" to them.
To substantiate his claim, Dr. Heidegger invites his four guests to drink the admirable fluid. However, he warns his venerable friends before drinking, that they should allow the experience they have gathered in their lives to direct and guide them "when passing a second time through the perils of youth." He suggests them to recall all the sins they had committed and the repentance they had craved for before they should ever go astray again. As expected, the four elderly guests drink the fluid and the signs of old age start vanishing from their faces. Their souls and bodies seem to be animated with a new life and energy. As they drink, they forget their virtues and wisdom and enjoy the "lightsome dizziness" caused by the sudden shedding of years. Colonel Killigrew flirts with the Widow Wycherly; Mr. Gascoigne speaks eloquently like politicians; Mr. Medbourne suggests a plan for supplying ice to East Indies. The Widow Wycherly stands before the mirror courtesying and simpering to her own image, and greeting it as the friend whom she loved better than all the world beside. She thrusts her face close to the glass, to see whether some long-remembered wrinkle has indeed vanished. She examined whether the snow has so entirely melted from her hair that the venerable cap could be safely thrown aside. Dr. Heidegger closely observes the activities and behaviour of his four guests. Charmed by youth again, they mock the infirmity of old age. They all start dancing in exhilaration. The Widow invites Dr. Heidegger for dance. But he declines the offer pleading of his old age and rheumatism.
Dr. Heidegger's guests show age again: Inflamed by the desire to dance and flirt with the Widow, the three gentlemen begin to interchange threatening glances and involve themselves in a physical combat. This physical riot overturns the table, the vase breaks and the precious water of youth flows across the floor. The liquid touches a dying butterfly and revives it.
However, the alluring deception of spring lasts momentarily and the rose fades again; the guests show signs of age again. Dr. Heidegger feels happy that he is not deceived by this passing and unnatural return to youth as the spell does not stay longer. However, his guests still unaffected by the transient nature of youth and beauty resolve to go to Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth in order to drink it greedily thrice a day.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, has satirised the youthful follies of human beings and their eternal desire for everlasting youth. Hawthorne has amusingly concluded a moral lesson that man is not only flawed. but for most of the time unable to change for the better.
Dr. Heidegger acquaints his guests with the purpose of his invitation to them. Before telling the details of the experiment, Dr. Heidegger shows his guests a "withered and crumbling" rose flower. It was given to him by Sylvia Ward fifty five years ago. Dr. Heidegger dips the flower in a vase containing some fluid. Surprisingly, the rose revives and looks fresh. To Dr. Heidegger's elderly guests it seems "a very pretty deception". On that, Dr. Heidegger tells them about the famous Fountain of Youth, situated in the southern part of the Floridian peninsula. He claims before his guests that this precious elixir may restore the "bloom of youth" to them.
To substantiate his claim, Dr. Heidegger invites his four guests to drink the admirable fluid. However, he warns his venerable friends before drinking, that they should allow the experience they have gathered in their lives to direct and guide them "when passing a second time through the perils of youth." He suggests them to recall all the sins they had committed and the repentance they had craved for before they should ever go astray again. As expected, the four elderly guests drink the fluid and the signs of old age start vanishing from their faces. Their souls and bodies seem to be animated with a new life and energy. As they drink, they forget their virtues and wisdom and enjoy the "lightsome dizziness" caused by the sudden shedding of years. Colonel Killigrew flirts with the Widow Wycherly; Mr. Gascoigne speaks eloquently like politicians; Mr. Medbourne suggests a plan for supplying ice to East Indies. The Widow Wycherly stands before the mirror courtesying and simpering to her own image, and greeting it as the friend whom she loved better than all the world beside. She thrusts her face close to the glass, to see whether some long-remembered wrinkle has indeed vanished. She examined whether the snow has so entirely melted from her hair that the venerable cap could be safely thrown aside. Dr. Heidegger closely observes the activities and behaviour of his four guests. Charmed by youth again, they mock the infirmity of old age. They all start dancing in exhilaration. The Widow invites Dr. Heidegger for dance. But he declines the offer pleading of his old age and rheumatism.
Dr. Heidegger's guests show age again: Inflamed by the desire to dance and flirt with the Widow, the three gentlemen begin to interchange threatening glances and involve themselves in a physical combat. This physical riot overturns the table, the vase breaks and the precious water of youth flows across the floor. The liquid touches a dying butterfly and revives it.
However, the alluring deception of spring lasts momentarily and the rose fades again; the guests show signs of age again. Dr. Heidegger feels happy that he is not deceived by this passing and unnatural return to youth as the spell does not stay longer. However, his guests still unaffected by the transient nature of youth and beauty resolve to go to Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth in order to drink it greedily thrice a day.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, has satirised the youthful follies of human beings and their eternal desire for everlasting youth. Hawthorne has amusingly concluded a moral lesson that man is not only flawed. but for most of the time unable to change for the better.
March 9, 2015
'Age is deformed, youth unkind,.
We scorn their bodies, they our mind.'
- Thomas Bastard(1566-1618)
This short story reminded me of this quote. It probably surprises no one that few understand the importance of acting ones age and appreciating life in all its stages.
We scorn their bodies, they our mind.'
- Thomas Bastard(1566-1618)
This short story reminded me of this quote. It probably surprises no one that few understand the importance of acting ones age and appreciating life in all its stages.
May 16, 2012
I've probably read this story a couple dozen times since I read it in 8th grade. It just continually makes me think about life and getting older, and it has a different meaning every time I read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews