Analysis

• Character: Mr. Gascoigne


  • Key Trait: Pompousness
  • Actions: Thrilled to discuss politics.
• Character: Mr. Medbourne


  • Key Trait: Greed
  • Actions: Obsessed with his wealth and finances.
• Character: Colonel Killigrew


  • Key Trait: Lust
  • Actions: Secretly leers at the rejuvenated Widow Wycherly.
• Character: Widow Wycherly


  • Key Trait: Vanity
  • Actions: Obsessed with her own reflection in the mirror.
• Character: Dr. Heidegger


  • Key Trait: Reason and Wisdom
  • Actions: Represents a contrast to the other characters' flaws.
• Who is the character that does not drink from the Fountain of Youth?

   Dr. Heidegger.
• What does Dr. Heidegger say about the Fountain of Youth?


  He states he would not drink from it, even if it were right at his doorstep.
• What lesson does Dr. Heidegger imply from his refusal of the elixir?


  That the experience has taught him something valuable about aging and wisdom.
• Do Dr. Heidegger's friends gain wisdom by drinking from the fountain?


  No, they remain as foolish as they were in their youth.
• What does the Fountain of Youth represent in Hawthorne's story?


  It reflects the negative attributes of the characters and shows that age does not equal wisdom.