Science in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Rappaccini’s Daughter

The short story “Rappaccini’s Daughter” can be seen as a love story about young man determined to be with his beloved, despite the fact that she is poisonous. However, when examining the text, underlying theme about science arise. During the time in which this piece was written, science was rapidly evolving. “All biological sciences must first go through a taxonomic stage since their data must be put in order before they can be employed in research on an analytical level”(Shryock 291) “Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Rappaccini’s unrelenting pursuit of knowledge that resulted in the tragic loss of his daughter; to show the productive and destructive powers of scientific discovery, which evolved American society during the 18th century.

The main character is a young man named Geovanni; he falls madly in love with Beatrice, the daughter of the mysterious Dr. Rappaccini. The scientist has a magnificent garden of poisonous plant that even nature could not produce; he had his daughter handling them which eventually lead to her becoming poisonous herself. Geovanni is warned by his teacher Professor Baglioni, that Dr. Rappaccini is known to use science to do unnatural things. “But as for Rappaccini, it is said of him- and I, who know the man well, can answer for its truth- that he cares infinitely more for science than for mankind.”(Hawthorne 1035) He was willing to sacrifice his own daughter to carry out his relentless quest for knowledge; and the ability to control nature.

Parallels that can be draw between the story and the destructive and constructive power of science that were at work during the18th century. These include the evolution of science, man’s desire to have dominion over nature...

... middle of paper ...

...f 18th century American society. Parallels between Rappaccini’s garden and The Garden of Eden, shows the influence of the church. Rappaccini tried to play god and it caused him to lose his most favorite flower, his daughter Beatrice.

Works Cited

Hawthorne Nathaniel, “Rappaccin’s Daughter” Ch.6. 2009. Science Fiction Stories and Contexts. Ed. Stephen A. Scipione and Marissa Feinstein. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s n.d 1029-1051.

Gould Stephen J. “The Mismeasure of Man” Penguin books Ltd. New York. New York. Robinlea.com. Web. 18 Nov. 2013

Wachtel, Albert. "Rappaccini’S Daughter." Masterplots, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-3. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

Shryock, Richard H. "Eighteenth Century Medicine In America." Proceedings Of The American Antiquarian Society 59.2 (1949): 275-292. America: History and Life with Full Text. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.