Rappaccini's Daughter

The story’s protagonist is described as a young man with “remarkable beauty” (Paragraph 2). He comes from the south of Italy, marking him as a particularly passionate person by the prejudices of Hawthorne’s time. Not much is known about his family, but it is clear they are not rich, as Giovanni needs to rent a cheap place to live.

Despite being a student at the University of Padua, Giovanni does not seem to be particularly intellectual. The main issue he faces in his relationship with Beatrice is her otherness. When he realizes that the young woman’s poisonous nature has transferred to him, Giovanni is enraged not because he feels betrayed but because it marks him as different. Conforming to social expectations is of paramount importance to him. Moreover, his feelings for Beatrice are frequently undermined by the narrator, who suggests they are the result of obsession and infatuation rather than true love.

Ultimately, Giovanni’s narrow-mindedness and selfishness lead to Beatrice’s death. While he does not intentionally kill her, he is instrumental in her demise. Thus, the young man becomes someone whose personal shortcomings destroy others’ lives.