Wednesday, May 28, 2014

What is the theme of Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter"?

The theme circles around the Garden of Eden and how the experiment in the story is created in such an atmosphere.  The daughter is so extremely beautiful, yet she is deadly.  Giovanni knows that something is not quite right with her.  The flowers she holds wither, and the insect dies when near her breath.  He knows that she is not as she seems.  Yet, he is compelled to try to join her and save her.  Just like the forbidden apple, the daughter Beatrice should not be taken by Giovanni.  She should be left.  His professor tries to talk him out of going after her.  However, his temptation only leads to her death.

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