Characterization of Dr. Heidegger
Dr. Heidegger is an old and sometimes confused scientist who is interested in supernatural and magic phenomena; evidence of this is a mystical book, a "ponderous folio volume, bound in black leather, with massive silver claps" (p. 30/l.31f.).
50 years ago he was engaged to a woman called Sylvia Ward, but she died on the bridal evening, because "she had swallowed one of her lover's prescriptions" (p. 30 / l. 28).
He received a rose from her and he loves this rose so much that he wanted to wear it in his
bosom at their wedding, but after Sylvia's death he loves it more and he reminds him of her -
except the portrait which hangs in his study.
Dr. Heidegger has a strange reputation for a lot of fantastic stories and he sometimes bores his friends with some crazy experiments: But the experiment presented in this story shows that he doesn't take part in the experiment directly, he only apologizes and says that he "had trouble in growing old … [and that he is] in no hurry to grow young again" (p. 33 / l. 14f.).
Therefore he prefers just to watch how the liquid works.
He seems to care about his guests´ health, because before he gives them the wondrous water he advises them how they should behave when they are young again.
During the whole experiment he doesn't influence his friends; instead he gives them more to drink from the liquid; he stays calm and with a "philosophical coolness" he remains seated in a big arm chair and looks like "Father Time" , i.e. dignified and almost god-like , while watching his guests.
At the end of the experiment hen is very disappointed about his rose, which begins to fade again after he had reanimated it with the water at the beginning of the experiment to show the effect of the liquid to his friends.
After he knows the result of the "Fountain of Youth", he wouldn't ever drink a drop of it himself. He witnesses how they didn't learn from their former mistakes, but even become obsessed with longing for eternal youth.
As al conclusion it must be said though that his lack of emotional involvement and his encouragement t try the effect of the water make him appear irresponsible as a scientist who does not refrain from misusing his power over unsuspecting guinea pigs.
Quotations based on Dr. Theodor Wolpers (Hrsg.), American short stories (Vol. 1),
Schöningh, Paderborn, 1957
Sandra Schröer