THE LESSON :: Essays Papers

THE LESSON 1 "Ah! If only I could be young again!" Most people often say this statement. People wishing they could go back to their youth and make a change. [Frag - 1] If one could become young again, would he/she really change? Or is youth a state of mind? In "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment", [,"] Nathaniel Hawthorne gives us an example of what can happen when one does become young again. The theme of this story is that morals established in one's youth remain unchanged throughout one's life. 2 The narrator does not identify himself as a character, nor if his character is present during Dr. Heidegger's experiment. [SS The narrator does not identify himself as a character or participant in the experiment.] Within the story, the narrator does mention that this [What is "this"?] might seem unbelievable and false. He alludes [Diction] that the story may be a lesson in morality. The effect of such a narrator allows the audience to decide if the story is true or a mere lesson. [A lesson cannot be true?] 3 Throughout the story, symbols of youth and age are present everywhere. The rose, which Dr. Heidegger has kept for 50 years, symbolizes his love and commitment for Sylvia Ward. It also symbolizes youth. When Dr. Heidegger places the rose in the liquid of youth, it blooms just as the characters do when they drink the elixir of life. However, the rose has a double meaning. It also means death. As the rose withers, so do the characters. [What else is the rose associated with?] 4 The experiment starts on a summer afternoon. Symbolically, a summer afternoon means youth. The characters become young during this time. When the sun sets, they age. The sunset symbolizes aging. 5 Throughout the story, we hear about this Fountain of Youth. Also referred to as the elixir of life or the liquid of youth. [Frag -1] This Fountain of Youth is really a state of mind. Like the saying goes, "you are as young as you think you are." That is what this elixir of life is really about.