Rappichini's Daughter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Recommended: Role of religion in english literature

Rappichini’s Daughter by Nathanial Hawthorne contains many themes that revolve around science and religion. It is safe to say that these two subjects do not go hand in hand. However, Hawthorne skillfully uses science as a vehicle for creating something similar to a new religion, and a story that is very similar to the story of Creation. Hawthorne even projects his own voice in the story through the character Baglioni, who is aware of Rappichini’s plan, and exposes Rappichini’s abuse of science.

Hawthorne makes many allusions to religion in the story. He says that the production of plants was no longer of God’s making. Beatrice later says that her spirit is God’s creature, after calling for the Holy Virgin and prayer. Lastly, when Giovanni first sees the garden, he compares it to the Garden of Eden and he wonders if he himself is Adam. There are also references to other works of religious fiction, such as, Devine Comedy by Dante and Paradise Lost by Milton

Rappichini’s Daughter can be interpreted as a retelling of the Creation story. Since this is the case, Giovanni could be Adam, and the garden would be the Garden of Eden. Hawthorne flips the script though, and tells the story of Adam overcoming temptation. Hawthorne also plays with the story, making the devil the creator and God the one trying to thwart the devil’s plans. He also takes the apple out of the equation completely and makes Eve the temptation.

In the case of this story, Beatrice would be Eve. Beatrice along with every plant in the garden was the creation of Rappichini. He plays the role of creator and the devil, because everything in the garden, including Beatrice is poison, and can kill. This contrasts God’s Garden of Eden, because that garden is one that giv...

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...ni, and Rappichini accomplishes his goal.

Baglioni plays the part of the honest scientist, while Rappichini is the opposite. He isn’t afraid of making sacrifices for the progression of science. However, Rappichini is letting his curiosity get the best of him. He is no longer doing for progress science, but he is doing to say he can do it, and he can essentially play God.

Baglioni has his own motives as well though, and does not make them known to Giovanni. Rappichini and Baglioni are rivals, unlike God and the devil in the original Creation story. The devil may want to get revenge on God, but God would be willing to forgive the devil because God is benevolent. Baglioni, however, is not benevolent and he wants the upper hand on Rappichini.

The vial that Baglioni gives is supposed to cure Beatrice of the poison. At least this is what Baglioni tells Giovanni.

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