The evil nature of this character is stressed by his association with the black colour in the story, first, when Giovanni sees him in the poisonous garden "dressed in a scholar's garb of black" (Hawthorne: p8), and second, when Giovanni and Baglioni meet him in the street of Padua also dressed in black (Hawthorne: p21). However, the black colour is not the author's only way of exposing the scientist's evil. Another means is bringing to light the effects of his experiments. By creating a poisonous garden, Rappaccini brings destruction both to himself and to the others. His zeal makes him the first victim of science; he corrupts both his body and soul. Physically, he is described as a feeble "sickly-looking man" who is affected by an "inward disease". Yet, the most noticeable sign of his corruption concerns his soul. Rappaccini loses his humanity in the course of pursuing scientific goals. This effect is reflected so clearly in the scientist's body that Giovanni notices from the first sight that he is devoid of any "warmth of heart". He is so dehumanized that he sacrifices his daughter for his experiments. He deprives her of any consideration except for the scientific one; she is a mere object of study for him. Rappaccini nourishes Beatrice with poison. He places her in an enclosed garden where she is surrounded by poisonous plants; those provide her with breath and give her life. Besides, she considers those plants as her sisters for the only human being she knows is her father. This seclusion justifies her interest in simple matters of life. Above all, the innocent Beatrice is not abused only by her father, but also by his rival Baglioni. The latter uses Beatrice, under the pretence of protecting Giovanni, to defeat Rappaccini. This act leads to her death at the end of the story. Thus, Beatrice is the victim of scientific experiment and rivalry.
