Dr. Heidegger's Experiment Flashcards
what did mr. medbourne represent and what was his past?
greed; banker/merchant who only cared about money
what did colonel killingrew represent and what was his past?
gluttony; used to indulge in sinful pleasures
Widow Wycherly
immorality, vanity; used to be a beautiful young girl who was chased after by all three men
what did mr. gascoigne represent and what was his past?
deceit; ruined politician
what do the opening details tell us about the friends in the story?
they are melancholy
what does the description of Dr. Heideggers office convey
uses many details to show us the friends are melancholy
what happens to dr. heideggers fiancee?
she is killed from his potion; turns the doctor into a tragic figure
dr. heideggers interest in experiementation overrides what
his care for his friends well being
what dies the 55 year old rose symbolize
doctors love for sylvia his fiancee
what does the doctor suggest about becoming young again?
although his friends may want to, he doesnt want to go through the aging process again
what doe the first drink do to the guests
makes their ashen faces look healthy
what does the colonel again chasing after the widow symbolize
he is once again after sinful pleasures
what does hawthornes opinion of politicians seem to be
believes they are dishonest (gascoigne)
what does the guests reverting to their youthful folloes symbolize
people will always go back to their old ways
what do the doctors actions show about himself
he is detatched and cool
what does dr h sitting in a throne-like chair represent
he could symbolize father time
what differentiates the doctor from his guests
he is more realistic about age and life
what does the vase smashing represent
the guests wasting their youth
allegory
literary work in which characters, settings, and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities
what do we find out about heideggers past
his fiancee committed suicide and he still loves her
why is the rose important to the doctor
it is a 55 year olf sign of sylvias love for him given to him by her; it springs to life when put back into water
what is the warning heidegger gives about the elixir
dont go back and try to change your mistakes
how does each guest act after their change
they begin to act as they did when they were young, chasing after the widow
how does each guest repeat the folly of their youth
medbourne begins calculating and doing money math, killingrew begins to joyously sing and take in the widow, gascoigne begins to talk about political topics, widow looks at herself in the mirror
