1a. When and in what city does the story take place? How does Giovanni Guasconti happen to be there? How does he enjoy spending his time when in his chamber?
2a. Who is Baglioni? What is his relationship with Rappaccini? How does he warn Giovanni when they meet on the street?
3a. Before Giovanni meets Beatrice, what does he see, or think he sees, that makes him fear her? After he meets her, what makes him ignore his fears until Baglioni's visit?
4a. What things, natural and unnatural, are considered poisonous in this story? What behaviors?
5a. Determine how believably Hawthorne portrays Beatrice as a female character, using evidence from the text to support your response.
1b. Giovanni suspects that Rappaccini has arranged for him to visit the garden. Why does he think so? What might be Rappaccini's reasons for allowing a man to visit Beatrice? for choosing Giovanni to be that man?
2b. Could Giovanni trust Baglioni's opinion of Rappaccini? Why, or why not? At the end of the story, why does Baglioni's voice suggest triumph as well as horror?
3b. During their first meeting in the garden, why does Beatrice hide her face and run away? When Giovanni suggests that both he and Beatrice drink Baglioni's antidote, why does she say, "I will drink—but do thou await the result"? Whose love is more real, Beatrice's for Giovanni or Giovanni's for Beatrice?
4b. Is Rappaccini evil? Is Baglioni, Beatrice, Lisabetta, or Giovanni himself? How do you define evil? What degree of evil does each of the characters possess?
5b. In popular culture and throughout history, people have accused others of being poisonous, toxic, or a "bad influence." Name examples of such people and the ways they have influenced the world around them. Then name people or groups who have countered them.
Fantasy. Can you characterize "Rappaccini's Daughter" as a fantasy, of do realistic elements dominate the story? Explain your answer, using examples from the text.
Symbol. Review the definition for symbol in the Handbook of Literary Terms. Then consider that the lush, poisonous foliage in Rappaccini's garden might represent temptation or evil. If so, what does the fountain that flows "cheerfully" into the garden pool symbolize? Does Beatrice also represent evil, or something more complex? What might Rappaccini himself symbolize?
Allusion. How does the allusion to the Biblical story of creation demonstrate Rappaccini's pride? What light does it throw on the nature of the evil in Rappaccini and his garden?
1. Imagining that you are Baglioni, write a character reference for Giovanni to attend the university. Consider which qualities of Giovanni are worth mentioning and which would be important to a university admissions committee.
2. Assume that you are an advice columnist and that Beatrice has written to you about how to explore the world beyond the garden or how to deal with her father. Write an advice column in response.
3. Write a news story about Beatrice Rappaccini, choosing either (1) a factual, objective report on her death and the coroner's decision to blame it on natural causes, or (2) a sensational, tabloid-style report on her ability to kill small animals with her breath, and humans with her kiss.
