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Rappaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: A Fascinating Short Story

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Rappaccini's Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: A Fascinating Short Story
Literature & Health
HU 350.95H online
Winter 2013

FINAL ASSIGNMENT: A LITERARY ANALYSIS

Rappaccini 's Daughter
By Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Rappaccini’s Daughter” is a fascinating short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne about a medical scientist “Giacomo Rappaccini” who is researching exotic and poisonous plants. His daughter “Beatrice Rappaccini ” takes care of the poisonous plants for him and she too becomes poisonous. The story takes place in Padua in the medieval times. Many of the elements explored in this story are open for interpretation and Hawthorne’s play on words is amazingly cunning. The first time I read this story I walked away with many questions. This paper will attempt to interpret a theme that I believe is played out right before our eyes with religious symbolism, romantic imagery and characterized biblical undertones. What I find compelling about this story is how it can remain relevant in the 21st century.
Hawthorne had a reputation for exploring the limits of what was considered acceptable by society during that time. His colorful depiction of details and his ability to tell a story and develop relatable characters is why his stories resognate with audiences today. I believe “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is an attempt by Hawthorne to illuminate the biblical equivalent to Adam and Eve but with a twist. I will break down the following elements which I feel helped to paint this colorful picture.
My Theory
I believe Hawthorne is playing out the story of Adam and Eve with a twist. Giovanni is “Eve”, Beatrice is “Adam”, Rappaccini is “God” and Baglioni is Satan.
I believe that Giovanni (Eve) is obsessed with Beatrice (Adam) and Baglioni (Satin) knows that Giovanni will do anything to be with Beatrice because he confides in him about how he feels. Baglioni (Satin) sees this as an opportunity to take down Rappaccini’s (God) creation by killing Beatrice (Adam) by offering a cure that Giovani (Eve) can offer to


Bibliography: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Imagine what it 's like : a literature and medicine anthology Author: Ruth L Nadelhaft; Victoria Bonebakker; University of Hawaii at Manoa. Biographical Research Center. Publisher: Honolulu : Published for the Biographical Research Center by the University of Hawai 'i Press, 2008. Series: Biography monograph. Edition/Format: Book : State or province government publication : EnglishView all editions and formats Page: 181: Rappaccini’s Daughter By Nathanial Hawthorne
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