The Scientific Experimentation That Destroys Beatrice in "Rappacini's Daughter"
             Most parents would put their children ahead of their occupation at all costs. In many cases this is true, but for Rappacini in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappacini's Daughter," his scientific experiments prove to be more important to him than his daughter Beatrice's wellbeing. His selfishness leads to both the physical and emotional destruction of Beatrice's romantic aspirations for Giovanni Guasconti. The unique situations encountered in "Rappacini's Daughter", represent an emotional struggle for Beatrice, which relates to the different interpretations of scientific advancement during this Romantic Era.
             An important theme in "Rappacini's Daughter" is the fear of change and progress, and how Beatrice becomes intertwined with both science and nature. During this Romantic Era, many people thought that scientific advancements would destroy nature. Rappacini symbolizes the destructiveness of science, whereas Beatrice represents the beauty of nature. Outwardly Rappacini has made Beatrice a threat to nature and humanity by making her poisonous, but inwardly she thrives on nature's existence. Beatrice's inability to interact with any individuals besides her father and Giovanni result in her own isolationism from nature and society. Professor Pietro Baglioni also symbolizes the fear of change through his intense rivalry with Rappacini. Baglioni is a conventional doctor who practices conservative methods, whereas, Rappacini practices unconventional methods by creating medicines from poisonous plants. The competition between these two scientific doctors escalates to such an immense degree, that Beatrice's death becomes the ultimate result. Their constant rivalry and human interference in nature's physical and psychological processes depicts the obvious account...