Final answer:
Mr. Gascoigne in 'Dr. Heidegger's Experiment' is described as pompous because of his self-important behavior, a common literary trait for such characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some people may describe Mr. Gascoigne from "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" as pompous due to his self-important and pretentious behavior. The character trait of pomposity is often linked with arrogance and an exaggerated sense of one's own worth or importance, which can be inferred from the text, although specific examples from the story are not provided in the information given. As a tutor, without direct evidence from the text, I can only generalize about the character based on typical literary patterns for pompous figures rather than provide specific citations. "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment" is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mr. Gascoigne is one of the characters in the tale. The trait of being "pompous" implies a self-important and arrogant demeanor, and there are instances in the text that suggest this characterization for Mr. Gascoigne. In the story, Mr. Gascoigne is introduced as a politician who had experienced a fall from grace due to corruption. When Dr. Heidegger invites him to participate in the experiment involving the magical water from the Fountain of Youth, Mr. Gascoigne reacts with an air of self-importance. For example, after drinking the water and experiencing its effects, he declares: "I, the former legislator of the province, and the husband of a beautiful wife!"