Question 7 1 pts Which passage from Part 2 of "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" by Nathaniel Hawthorne provides explicit evidence that the fountain of youth water has a shortlasting effect? "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." "Even while the party were looking at it, the flower continued to shrivel up, till it became as dry and fragile as when the doctor had first thrown it into the vase." "With a shuddering impulse, that showed her a woman still, the widow clasped her skinny hands before her face, and wished that the coffin-lid were over it, since it could be no longer beautiful." "The Water of Youth possessed merely a virtue more transient than that of wine."
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The passage stating, "The Water of Youth possessed merely a virtue more transient than that of wine," explicitly conveys that the effects of the fountain of youth water are fleeting. It compares the temporary nature of the water's rejuvenating power to that of wine, emphasizing that while it may offer a brief reprieve from aging, it is ultimately not a lasting solution. Additionally, Hawthorne explores themes of vanity and the folly of seeking eternal youth. The characters' brief return to their prime serves as a commentary on human nature and the inevitable passage of time. Their experiences reveal the dangers of clinging to youth, as the allure of the water ultimately leads to disillusionment and a deeper understanding of life’s natural cycle.
