How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
Over the central bookcase was a bronze bust of Hippocrates, with which, according to some authorities, Dr. Heidegger was accustomed to hold consultations in all difficult cases of his practice. (3)
Among other medicinal developments, Hippocrates was famous for separating religion and superstition from the realm of medicine. Heidegger's claim that the water is from the Fountain of Youth has a touch of irony, then.
Quote #2
In the obscurest corner of the room stood a tall and narrow oaken closet, with its door ajar, within which doubtfully appeared a skeleton. (3)
The "skeleton in the closet" is a metaphorical phrase that refers to a secret someone wants to keep hidden. That Dr. Heidegger literally has a skeleton in his closet is not just creepy, but also a testament to the narrator's sense of humor.
Quote #3
Between two of the bookcases hung a looking-glass, presenting its high and dusty plate within a tarnished gilt frame. Among many wonderful stories related of this mirror, it was fabled that the spirits of all the doctor's deceased patients dwelt within its verge, and would stare him in the face whenever he looked thitherward. The opposite side of the chamber was ornamented with the full-length portrait of a young lady, arrayed in the faded magnificence of silk, satin, and brocade, and with a visage as faded as her dress. Above half a century ago, Dr. Heidegger had been on the point of marriage with this young lady; but, being affected with some slight disorder, she had swallowed one of her lover's prescriptions, and died on the bridal evening. (3)
It appears that Dr. Heidegger is not the most adept of doctors if 1) he has all these dead patients, and 2) his fiancée is dead on account of taking one of Heidegger's prescriptions.
Quote #4
"The famous Fountain of Youth, if I am rightly informed, is situated in the southern part of the Floridian peninsula, not far from Lake Macaco. Its source is overshadowed by several gigantic magnolias, which, though numberless centuries old, have been kept as fresh as violets by the virtues of this wonderful water. An acquaintance of mine, knowing my curiosity in such matters, has sent me what you see in the vase.'' (15)
How realistic is Dr. Heidegger's story, first of the Fountain of Youth and second of his own connection to it?
Quote #5
He sat in a high-backed, elaborately-carved, oaken arm-chair, with a gray dignity of aspect that might have well befitted that very Father Time, whose power had never been disputed, save by this fortunate company. Even while quaffing the third draught of the Fountain of Youth, they were almost awed by the expression of his mysterious visage. (32)
Dr. Heidegger takes on an almost godly role here – and indeed, he is playing God, to some degree, by conducting this experiment with his guests.
Quote #6
Yet, by a strange deception, owing to the duskiness of the chamber, and the antique dresses which they still wore, the tall mirror is said to have reflected the figures of the three old, gray, withered grandsires, ridiculously contending for the skinny ugliness of a shriveled grandam. (41)
Again there is ambiguity in the text – we don't know what to do with odd incongruity! Either the mirror is quite ordinary, in which case the elixir is just alcohol and the guests are only deceived, or the guests really are transformed, but the mirror is supernatural and shows a reflection that goes deeper than appearances.
Quote #7
The precious Water of Youth flowed in a bright stream across the floor, moistening the wings of a butterfly, which, grown old in the decline of summer, had alighted there to die. The insect fluttered lightly through the chamber, and settled on the snowy head of Dr. Heidegger. (42)
This is a totally bizarre conclusion to the riotous scene that precedes it. That the butterfly lands on Dr. Heidegger's head – and that Heidegger stays motionless and speaks with it still perched there – suggests there is in fact something God-like about his character.
Quote #8
"Come, come, gentlemen! – come, Madam Wycherly,'' exclaimed the doctor, "I really must protest against this riot.''
They stood still and shivered; for it seemed as if gray Time were calling them back from their sunny youth, far down into the chill and darksome vale of years. They looked at old Dr. Heidegger, who sat in his carved arm-chair, holding the rose of half a century, which he had rescued from among the fragments of the shattered vase. At the motion of his hand, the four rioters resumed their seats. (43-4)
This is the third time "Father Time" is mentioned in this story, and the narrator has already compared Dr. Heidegger to the mythological figure. Heidegger is, in a sense, playing the role of Father Time in this story. It is he who makes his guests younger again – in one way or another – and he who brings them back to the original state (if indirectly).