Hawthorne, Nathaniel: 1804-1864

Doctor Heidegger's Experiment, 1837 - Thematic Parallels: Inability to Change

Hawthorne, Nathaniel: Doctor Heidegger's Experiment, 1837
The topic of "Doctor Heidegger’s Experiment" (1837) by Nathaniel Hawthorne centers on human nature, the inability to change, and the folly of trying to recapture youth.
The following books are thematically similar. They lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Auster, Paul: The Music of Chance, 1990, ~210pp
  This work centers around chance, fate, and the randomness of life. It explores how unexpected events and encounters can drastically alter a person's path.
  Both stories blur the line between reality and fantasy, forcing the reader to question what actually happened. They question whether people’s beliefs about themselves or others are grounded in truth.
- Morrison, Toni: Beloved, 1992, ~270pp
  This novel deals with the haunting past and attempts to reconcile with it.
  Both works resist giving the reader full closure, highlighting the ambiguity of human perception and moral truth. They show how institutions of faith can mask corruption and undermine genuine morality.
- Shaw, George Bernard: Pygmalion, 1913, ~100pp
  This play presents themes of transformation and identity, albeit in a social context rather than supernatural, which parallels the transformation theme in “Doctor Heidegger’s Experiment.”
  In both works, Puritanism is shown as a double-edged sword—aiming for spiritual purity but breeding suspicion, repression, and hypocrisy. Fear drives much of the action—fear of the devil, fear of social disgrace, fear of eternal damnation.
- Wyndham, John: The Chrysalids, 1955, ~180pp
  This novel focuses on change, human nature, and society’s fear of difference.
  In both works, the protagonist confronts the realization that the people they trusted can be morally compromised. They show how humans crave belonging, even if it means compromising morals. Evil isn’t just an external force; it’s a potential within ordinary people.
List of general discussion questions on Inability to Change (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Inability to Change (pdf)