Rappaccini’s Daughter Group

Question:

samson09
samson09
Student
High School - 12th Grade

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

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Posted by samson09 on Sunday January 4, 2009 at 4:01 PM and tagged with rappaccini’s daughter, themes.

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  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    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.

    Sources:
    http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?action=view&annid=741
    http://www.enotes.com/rappaccinis-daughter/group/discuss/...

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    Posted by troutmiller on Sunday January 4, 2009 at 4:46 PM