Rappacinni

Rappaccini’s Daughter is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s interpretation of the Biblical tale of the Garden of Eden written i9n Genesis. The connection between the two accounts lies in Hawthorne’s masterful use of symbolism, diction, and theme. While retelling the original story, he injects malice, rivalry, and corruption to destroy our peaceful image of the Garden of Eden. However, the author of the story retains various themes, establishing a concrete connection between his story and the original. The setting of Hawthorne’s tale correlates that of the original story. Hawthorne retains some of the setting from the original story by placing the magnificent purple plant in the garden as the Biblical equivalent to the Tree of Knowledge.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis, II, 7) This verse from the Bible is referred to in Rappaccini’s Daughter many times. It is one of the most common themes and represents the prevailing idea in the story. The breath of life in the Bible is really the breath of death in Rappaccini’s Daughter. While speaking to the flower, Beatrice says, “Yes, my sister, my splendor, it shall be Beatrice’s task to n

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When addressing the purple shrub or Giovanni, Beatrice uses pronouns as they would be used in the Bible. On one hand, Rappaccini is God who entices Giovanni to fall in love with Beatrice by telling Lisabetta to show Giovanni the secret entrance to the garden. Baglioni can be considered pious however, he also displayed other characteristics such as jealousy and hate towards Rappaccini. 258) This is Hawthorne’s description of Giocomo Rappaccini, the doctor. He tries to control everything and he does have power over Beatrice. Trice means a brief or short period of time.

The language that Hawthorne chooses draws closer connections between Rappaccini’s Daughter and the Genesis story of the Garden of Eden. Here he is malicious, destroying any hope of Beatrice’s happiness. “Now, while he was speaking there came a man in black along the street stooping and moving feebly like a person in inferior health. Because she shares the poisonous nature with the purple plant, she is the single person who can safely tend to it. 258) This also refers to a creature that is willing to do whatever is necessary to get to the top.

Some of the thematic points are altered. The name fits the character in that even with her unfortunate life Beatrice was able to stay cheerful and hopeful and she made Rappaccini and Giovanni happy. The way Rappaccini stares at Giovanni is just like snakes study their enemy.

Approximate Word count = 2183
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

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