The short story “Rapaccini's Daughter” can be seen as a love story of a young man determined to be with his beloved, even though she is poisonous. However, when examining the text, the underlying theme about science emerges. At the time this piece was written, science was evolving rapidly. “All biological sciences must first go through a taxonomic phase as their data must be put in order before it can be employed in research at the analytical level” (Shryock 291). Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" utilizes Rappaccini's relentless pursuit of knowledge which resulted in the tragic loss of his daughter; to show the productive and destructive powers of scientific discovery, which evolved American society during the 18th century. The main character is a young man named Geovanni; he falls madly in love with Beatrice, the daughter of the mysterious Doctor Rappaccini. The scientist has a magnificent garden of poisonous plants that not even nature could produce; he had his daughter handle them, which eventually led to her becoming poisonous herself. Geovanni is warned by his teacher, Professor Baglioni, that Doctor Rappaccini is known to use science to do unnatural things. "But as for Rappaccini, it is said of him - and I, who know the man well, can answer for the truth - that he cares infinitely more for science than for humanity." (Hawthorne 1035) He was willing to sacrifice his own daughters to further his relentless pursuit of knowledge; and the ability to control nature. Parallels that can be drawn between history and the destructive and constructive power of science that was at work in the 18th century. These include the evolution of science, man's desire to have dominion over nature... middle of paper... of 18th century American society. The parallel between Rappaccini's garden and the Garden of Eden shows the influence of the church. Rappaccini tried to play God and this made him lose his favorite flower, his daughter Beatrice. Works Cited Hawthorne Nathaniel, "Rappaccin's Daughter" Ch.6. 2009. Science Fiction Stories and Contexts. Ed. Stephen A. Scipione and Marissa Feinstein. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's nd 1029-1051.Gould Stephen J. “The Mismeasure of Man” Penguin Books Ltd. New York. New York. Robinlea.com. Network. November 18, 2013Wachtel, Albert. "Rapaccini's daughter." Masterplots, fourth edition (2010): 1-3. Literary Reference Center Plus Network. November 17, 2013. Shryock, Richard H. "Eighteenth-Century Medicine in America." Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society 59.2 (1949): 275-292. America: History and Life with full text. Network. November 18. 2013.