Rappaccinis Daughter - Essay Example

English 10 December Rappaccini’s Daughter “Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an intriguing tale of unrequited love and heartache where a young couple suffers because of the selfishness of the two rivals Rappaccini and Baglioni. In other words the two lovers Beatrice and Giovanni acted as pawns in the game of rivalry between the two scientists. Furthermore it is observed that generally women are physically weaker than men that has led to an imbalance in power throughout the history of mankind, this can also be seen in “Rappaccini’s Daughter” and the control of her father over her. As Homas and Zaitzow also state that, “men and women are socialized from birth into gender-specific roles based on social definitions of masculinity and femininity…women are expected to be weak, dependent, passive, emotional, noncompetitive and subservient” (184). A similar behavior is also observed towards Beatrice as well throughout the course of the story may it be in Beatrice’s relationship with her Giovanni or her father or her suffering because of Baglioni’s poison. Throughout the story Rappaccini treats her daughter as his property or better yet as a specimen for his experiments. Moreover according to Baglioni Rappaccini, Cares infinitely more for science than for mankind. His patients are interesting to him only as subjects for some new experiment. He would sacrifice human life, his own among the rest, or whatever else was dearest to him, for the sake of adding so much as a grain of mustard seed to the great heap of his accumulated knowledge (). These lines aptly illustrates Rappaccini’s obsession with his experiments and hints on the fact that her daughter might be a part of his experiments which is later confirmed in the story. If the reasons for such manipulation are delved deeper, then the readers infer that since no one could question him for his actions in those times because daughters were considered as the responsibility of their fathers hence that gave him the right to decide her fate and he got away with his machinations. This also explains Rappaccini’s actions of choosing Giovanni as his future son-in-law as well as a new experiment because he thought he was making the best decision for his daughter. As the girl states, “But my father,--he has united us in this fearful sympathy” (). Then again it is also interesting to note the manner in which the women of those times were brought up i.e. they were taught to be docile and made the sacrificing souls for all times. As it is also apparent from the lines when she says, “Yes; spurn me, tread upon me, kill me! Oh, what is death after such words as thine” (). Although she realizes it was her father’s Machiavellian plotting that has poisoned Giovanni for life yet she asks for death rather than either confronting her father or letting Giovanni confront him. Moreover the title of the story also suggests the nameless existence of the daughter who is known as Rappaccini’s daughter rather than being given a name. This anonymity in the title also symbolizes the mind set of that society where women were properties who were owned rather than individuals. Moreover it is interesting to note that there is a constant power struggle going on between Rappaccini and Baglioni as well as Rappaccini and Giovanni while their pawn in this game of power struggle is Beatrice. As it is observed that in the former’s case Baglioni suggests to use the antidote to save Beatrice without her consent and although it is not actually stated in the story yet the readers can infer that one of the reasons that Baglioni interferes is that he wants to unveil Rappaccini’s practice and assure that his position as a professor is secure. As it is mentioned in the text that he says, “Rappaccini is said to have instructed her deeply in his science, and that, young and beautiful as fame reports her, she is already qualified to fill a professor's chair. Perchance her father destines her for mine!” (). This comment clearly states his insecurity therefore he decides to take the responsibility of ruining Rappaccini’s experiment which is one way of looking at this game of power struggle. Werlock also believes that, “Baglioni is jealous of Beatrice fearing that her father has taught her so well that she could take Baglioni’s pace at the university” (552). Moreover his joy is also apparent in the end when he says to Rappaccini, “Professor Pietro Baglioni looked forth from the window, and called loudly, in a tone of triumph mixed with horror, to the thunder stricken man of science, "Rappaccini! Rappaccini! and is this the upshot of your experiment!” (). The triumph is a proof of his guilt and manipulation. On contrary in case of Rappaccini and Giovanni they have a major trait in common i.e. they believe that they know everything that is best for Beatrice. Since first it was Rappaccini’s decision to use his daughter for his experiments and later Giovanni decides that he should save Beatrice by giving her the antidote without once asking for her consent. However in the end it is evident that Beatrice finally takes her fate in her hand decides to drink the antidote when she says, “"Give it me!" said Beatrice, extending her hand to receive the little silver vial which Giovanni took from his bosom. She added, with a peculiar emphasis, "I will drink; but do thou await the result” (). Herndl perceives this moment as Beatrice’s assertion of. “Her right to decide her own fate but this assumption of power kills her and leaves all three men still alive” (99). Which also in a way stresses on the naivete of women in general who are essentially weak and impulsive and ultimately regardless of the circumstances they pay the price for other peoples’ sins and wrong doings. In the story the depiction of Beatrice’s character is highly complex because on the surface she appears to epitomize femininity to its fullest since she is a very beautiful and a delicate girl yet her poisonous existence tells the readers a completely different story. Moreover her character also supports a major thematic concern that Hawthorne incorporates in his text i.e. appearance and reality as physically she personifies serenity however on the inside she is as deadly as poison. Rappaccini states towards the end of the story that, Miserable!" exclaimed Rappaccini. "What mean you, foolish girl? Dost thou deem it misery to be endowed with marvellous gifts against which no power nor strength could avail an enemy--misery, to be able to quell the mightiest with a breath--misery, to be as terrible as thou art beautiful? Wouldst thou, then, have preferred the condition of a weak woman, exposed to all evil and capable of none? (). Although it is evident from this comment that Rappaccini wanted to make his daughter independent and free which are the qualities of a modern woman yet since she had not consented to live such a life so it further stresses upon the helplessness of her situation. As she says in the story as well, I would fain have been loved, not feared," murmured Beatrice, sinking down upon the ground. "But now it matters not. I am going, father, where the evil which thou hast striven to mingle with my being will pass away like a dream-like the fragrance of these poisonous flowers… Farewell, Giovanni! Thy words of hatred are like lead within my heart; but they, too, will fall away as I ascend. Oh, was there not, from the first, more poison in thy nature than in mine? Moreover her character is very stereotypical because regardless of her father’s so-called attempt at empowering her and giving her a right to live for herself, yet she was weak and helpless because her fate was ruled by her father. As Herndl also states, “the tale may question the propriety of masculine definitions of femininity, but one cannot take it outside the context of nineteenth century aesthetics, in which women’s weakness is poetic and beautiful” (99). Hence even though Hawthorne talks about the injustices that Beatrice suffered at the hands of the men in her life yet her character is in sync with the idea of a woman of the nineteenth century who is and will remain a damsel in distress. However Beatrice’ death scene pertinently encapsulates the gist of Hawthorne’s opinion about role of women in the society as he realizes that the society around him perceives them to be objects instead of human beings who are owned by the society or their families and their only salvation comes in the form of death. Furthermore regardless of the nature of the relationship that women share with men may it be their father, lover or even a stranger they are not granted the right to live for themselves or according to their wishes. Hence this is the argument that Hawthorne presents to the readers and provides them with food for thought as he realizes the importance of women and looks at them as human beings unlike the people and the society of his times. This perspective is immensely evident in the last lines that Hawthorne reiterates, To Beatrice,--so radically had her earthly part been wrought upon by Rappaccini's skill, as poison had been life… thus the poor victim of man's ingenuity and of thwarted nature, and of the fatality that attends all such efforts of perverted wisdom, perished there, at the feet of her father and Giovanni (). Hence it is observed that although Hawthorne’s projection of Beatrice on the surface appears to be that of a woman governed by the will of the men in her life yet in the hind sight he depicts her as powerful creature who hold the power of enchanting men and forcing them to commit deeds that they might never commit with a rational frame of mind. As observed in the case of Baglioni whose jealousy and insecurity because of Beatrice’s vast knowledge led him to plan her demise. While although Rappaccini’s love for his daughter was selfish in nature yet it was his concern for his daughter that forced him to take measures to secure her future and empower her above other human beings. Similarly in Giovanni’s case she evoked such strong feelings of possessiveness and love that he did not realize the changes that were occurring in his body and her gradual poisoning until it was too late. So in other words although Hawthorne uses a stereotypical depiction of her female protagonist yet on a deeper level it is observed that his explication of a woman as weak and subservient is actually a facade to project her powers of sorcery. Dominguez-Rue also gives a similar point of view when he says, “Hawthorne through his female protagonist whom he portrays as the angel of virtue actually reveals his fear of a female power that is not natural but supernatural…” (61). Read More