The Power Of Manipulation In Dr. Heidegger's Experiment

Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment
The power of manipulation can cause others to believe in something that is unrealistic. This is shown in “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathanial Hawthorne when the guests state “‘Give us more of this wonderful water!’ cried they, eagerly. ‘We are younger-- but we are still too old! Quick--- give us more!’” (4). Not surprisingly, the four guests have never seen anything like this. They still continue to beg for the water because it’s taking all their worries and insecurities away. This is because Dr. Heidegger proved to his guests that the water worked by soaking a dead flower in the water and that’s all the proof they needed.Dr. Heidegger begins his manipulation early because “He uncovered the vase, and threw the faded rose into the water which it contained. At first, it lay lightly on the surface of the fluid, appearing to be imbibe none of its moisture. Soon, however, a singular change began to be visible” (Hawthorne 3). This shows that Dr. Heidegger knew what he was doing. He knew that this experiment would spark

Heidegger’s Experiment” both deal with the misconception of being young again. Hawthorne uses these four characters that have suffered regret to show that too much self confidence can cause a sad future life. That being said, the four guests are all manipulated by the flower that they don’t study it long enough to learn its effects. They believe that they will be young forever and can relive their past. The believe they can be young forever. This causes the guests to witness the end effect and immediately regret their choices. Throughout the beginning we learn of all the mistakes the guests have made when they were young. We soon learn that when they become young again, and are able to fix their mistakes, they take it for granted and don’t learn anything. Hawthorne proves throughout the story that people are able to be manipulated enough that they fail to recognize the impossibility of