Dr.+Heidgger's++Experiments

Short Stories - Literary Devises

Point of View: the story is in the third person

Protagonist: Dr Heidegger What type of character is the Protagonist? he is an old man who worries about...

Antagonist: Mr Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew, Mr Gascoigne and Widow Wycherly

Describe the setting: The story takes place in Dr heidegger's study. It is a poorly lit room filled with old bookcases, cobwebs, dust, a bust of Hippocrates, a closet with a skeleton in it, a mirror the doctor sees dead patients in and a full lenght portrait of a young lady in silk, satin and brocade.

Type of Conflict:

Describe the main conflict:

the doctor wants his friends to drink water he says is from the fountain of youth WHY?

Describe the Climax of the Story: Everyone drinks and feels young again, they start dancing. they get a glimpse in the mirror and discover they are still old.

How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story?

The Dr starts off the story leading everyone and during the middle of the story he becomes a figure in the background observing.

Describe the relationship between the title and the theme

the doctor experiments with people by telling them they are drinking water from the fountain of youth in order to watch the reaction to the'water'.

WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS STORY?

How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme?

The main conflict is you are as young as you want to be it doesn't matter how old you look or actually are.

How does the climax help to illustrate the theme?

they feel young until they look in the mirror.

Give examples of each of the the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):

Simile: the snowy head of dr heidegger' describes his white hair

Metaphor 'an admirable fluid' used to describe the water from the fountain of youth. 'melancholy old creatures' describe the guests

Personification: ' between the heavy festoons of two faded damask curtains' personifies the curtains

Symbol: ' the fountain of youth'

Foreshadowing (give both elements): ' The drinks are on the host tonight - water from the fountain of youth.' explains what experiment is going to happen.

Irony: No matter how young they felt, the minute they looked in the mirror they felt old.

Imagery:

the detailed description of the doctors study as well as the description of the youthful dancing.

Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story

the class theme is mystery. The mystery in the story is the water; is it from the Fountain of Youth or is it just water. Also, if it is just water how did the pressed rose bloom and the butterfly come back to life. Completion 4/5 Effort 3.5/5 Content 3./5 total 11/15