If we assume that Nathanial Hawthorne’s story “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is an allegory of the Genesis creation story, then the meaning of the story can be seen in an entirely new light. Traditionally, authors interpreted the story to be a warning against the dangers of science. However, modern authors have begun to interpret the story as an allegory of the Genesis creation story. While the two stories do not share a parallel structure, “Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathanial Hawthorne and the Genesis creation story reflect each other through similar character roles, themes, and motives.
These modern authors, while agreeing that “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is an allegory for the Genesis creation story, often disagree over characters’ allegorical identities and the final meaning of the allegory (Evans 185). The only way to understand the meaning of the allegory is to identify each character’s allegorical role.
One of the most prominent and important characters within the Genesis creation story, the Serpent, or Satan, tempts Eve into eating from the Tree of Knowledge, which results in the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Baglioni fills a similar role in “Rappaccini’s Daughter” as a tempter. When Baglioni is …show more content…
Both of their rivalries are based on the former’s jealousy of the latter’s achievements. This jealousy makes the reader question Baglioni’s motives when giving advice to Giovanni about Beatrice. It is entirely possible that he is simply trying to protect his friend’s son. However, Baglioni, while talking to himself, complains of Rappaccini’s “insufferable impertinence ... thus to snatch the lad out of my own hand.” This insight to Baglioni’s inner thoughts makes one wonder if he really cares about Giovanni’s wellbeing, or merely views him as a prize (Liebman
These modern authors, while agreeing that “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is an allegory for the Genesis creation story, often disagree over characters’ allegorical identities and the final meaning of the allegory (Evans 185). The only way to understand the meaning of the allegory is to identify each character’s allegorical role.
One of the most prominent and important characters within the Genesis creation story, the Serpent, or Satan, tempts Eve into eating from the Tree of Knowledge, which results in the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Baglioni fills a similar role in “Rappaccini’s Daughter” as a tempter. When Baglioni is …show more content…
Both of their rivalries are based on the former’s jealousy of the latter’s achievements. This jealousy makes the reader question Baglioni’s motives when giving advice to Giovanni about Beatrice. It is entirely possible that he is simply trying to protect his friend’s son. However, Baglioni, while talking to himself, complains of Rappaccini’s “insufferable impertinence ... thus to snatch the lad out of my own hand.” This insight to Baglioni’s inner thoughts makes one wonder if he really cares about Giovanni’s wellbeing, or merely views him as a prize (Liebman