How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
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.