Daughter of Rappaccini

Directions: Write a persuasive essay on one of the following topics. Underline the thesis statement. The essay should be 300-500 words. You must write for  50 minutes allotted before answering the objective portion of the test. Five paragraphs are required.   1.Dr. Memering once wrote that we live in an extremely competitive society. We believe that through reason we can solve all problems. Hawthorne’s “Rappaccini’s Daughter” discusses some very modern concerns. Competitiveness, worship of education and science, jealousy, and the mistreatment of women are elements in this very modern tale. Discuss how these elements destroyed Beatrice. Use material from the story to show that she was mistreated and comment further either on the plight of women or comment on the problems associated with the worship of education. You may want to write a paragraph on each of these. Be sure to quote from the work. Use the story to show how she was exploited. Do not retell the story.   2. Write an essay about winning being everything or winning not being everything. Discuss Rappaccini’s rivalry with Baglioni. You must use as examples elements from the story “Rappaccini’s Daughter.” Be sure to quote from the story. Show how Baglioni tries to out do Rappaccini. Why was Baglioni jealous ? Was he jealous of Rappaccini’s achievements ?