“Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne• 1804-1864

•Many of his stories focus on the history of America (specifically the Puritan era, the social and psychological issues that underlie people’s behavior, heavy use of symbols, a concentration on the darker side of human behavior, and themes such as isolation, obsession and paranoia, guilt, social reform, and redemption.

•Married and moved to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s grandparents’ old house in Concord, Mass. Thoreau provided a garden.

•“RD” first published in the United States Magazine and Democratic Review in 1844

1. What is the setting of the story? What is the significance of the setting?

2. Does Giovanni really love Beatrice?3. Does Rappaccini poison Giovanni out of love for

Beatrice or for some other reason?4. Does Rappaccini really love his daughter?5. Why does Baglioni give Giovanni the “antidote”? 6. How is Beatrice portrayed in this story? Is she symbolic

of anything?7. What are some themes in this story?

Discussion Questions

Topics for Writing

1. How do symbol and allusion function in the story? (Genesis, Divine Comedy)

2. What drives Rappaccini to act as he does?3. What drives Giovanni to act as he does?4. What drives Beatrice to act as she does?5. Does Giovanni really love Beatrice?6. How is the setting significant?7. Does this story completely condemn scientific

progress?