How Does Rappaccini Hurt Mankind?

In this passage, Baglioni describes his medical enemy once again as he visits Giovanni in his apartment. He wishes to prevent Rappaccini from carrying out his experiments as they merely hurt mankind. Interestingly, Baglioni describes the scientist as a “wonderful man” (309). Perhaps science has caused Rappaccini to become the vile individual who does not value mankind. Through this passage, Hawthorne uses the words of Baglioni to indirectly state his feelings concerning Rappaccini. Hawthorne seems to believe that science and experimentation can cause a man to become evil. Baglioni exclaims that Rappaccini is a “vile empiric, however, in his practice, and therefore not to be tolerated by those who respect the good old rules of the medical profession (309). Hawthorne is indirectly stating the notion that science can plague a man wickedness even if the individual is inherently virtuous.

While Giovanni was walking along the streets of Padua, Baglioni spotted him for the first time in ages. Before they began to socialize, Rappaccini walked by the two and seemed to stare at Giovanni. Baglioni quickly understood the situation and told Giovanni that he was the study of one of the scientist’s vile experiments. He continues by stating how the scientist does not care whether his …show more content…
He fails to realize that his experiment prevents Beatrice from experiencing life outside of the garden and forbids her from having a relationship. Baglioni states, “Her father...was not restrained by natural affection from offering up his child, in this horrible manner, as the victim of his insane zeal for science” (308). Essentially, Hawthorne believes that scientists’ excessive zeal for their experiments takes precedence over their affection for loved ones and mankind. He shows this through Baglioni’s belief that Giovanni will be the material of Rappaccini’s next immoral