Rappaccini’s Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1844): A Review

Title: Rappaccini's Daughter

Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Publication Year: 1844

Pages: 48

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Gothic

Source: eBook

Opening Sentence: We do not remember to have seen any translated specimens of the productions of M. de l'Aubepine — a fact the less to be wondered at, as his very name is unknown to many of his own countrymen as well as to the student of foreign literature.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" is another masterpiece, where a mad scientist cultivates a toxic garden that would make even the most dedicated plant parent reconsider their hobby. Dr. Rappaccini is a genius who has already positioned himself as a god by creating his own Garden of Eden and his own Eve—the embodiment of a lethal poison. All he needs is to introduce an Adam into his garden to make his daughter happy. What could possibly go wrong? While the Devil may be absent from this plot, Hawthorne finds a way to introduce conflict through a rival physician who will tempt the boy.

The storyline unfolds as follows: a girl meets a boy, and the boy falls for the girl. However, the girl has a fatal flaw—her breath can inadvertently kill any living being. Yet, despite this danger, the girl grows more attached to the boy. Essentially, Dr Rappaccini has transformed the boy, like his daughter, into the world's deadliest air freshener—let's call it "Eau de Poison: When you absolutely, positively need everyone to keep their distance."

Dr. Rappaccini's parenting philosophy seems to be, "I'll just make my daughter lethal to ensure her safety!" However, you cannot decide for others, particularly your child, whether they should possess superpowers or remain weak. It is a person's right to make that choice for themselves. Interestingly, this garden of Eden operates in reverse; it makes a man play the role of Eve and a rival physician play the role of the Devil from the outside world to mar the beauty of the garden and its inhabitants. Isn't Hawthorne a genius in re-creating his own story of creation?

The moral of the story? Whether you're banishing your creations from paradise or wrapping them in bubble wrap, playing God always leads to either death or cosmic disappointment, and the creations are always the losers. Perhaps we should allow people to choose their own paths—preferably ones that don't involve becoming walking biohazards.