Writers often use characters in a story to make a comment on people's actions. In "Rappaccini's Daughter," by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the characters make a significant comment on the interaction of people within society. Hawthorne, a “thinker and artist” (Delbanco 14+), creates characters who are very different than they initially seem, and this encourages the reader to delve deeper into issues instead of judging things based on first impressions, rumors, or appearance. Cappello defines people's judgment as "how [people], in general, translate or read the world" (263). Hawthorne investigates the way people look at each other through his portrayal of Baglioni, Rappaccini, Giovanni and Beatrice and their reactions to each other and to each other. Baglioni's character initially makes readers believe he is a helpful doctor, and the text of the story consistently shows him wanting to help Giovanni. Baglioni begins the story by supposedly clarifying the mystery concerning Rappaccini and his daughter: “You will hear the truth concerning the poisoner Rappaccini and his poisonous daughter, yes, poisonous as she is beautiful” (Hawthorne 271). He even points out to the misguided Giovanni that Rappaccini "cares more about science than humanity" (Hawthorne 259). The picture that Baglioni paints scares both Giovanni and the reader into believing that horrible things are happening in Rappaccini's house. Cappello believes that Baglioni is evidently "aware of the power of his language" (266). Baglioni's advice continues, and he also warns Giovanni through a historical fable that depicts a woman "fed on poison from birth onwards" (Hawthorne 270). All of these caveats accomplish the purpose of helping to formulate Giovan......middle of paper......Presentation Men.'" Diss. University of Toledo, 1988. DAI 50-02A (1989): 0443. Moss , Sidney. "A Reading of ÔRappaccini's Daughter." Studies in Short Fiction 2 (1965): 145-156. Nelson, Ronald. "Two Potential Sources for Pierto Baglioni in 'Rappaccini's Daughter.'" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. 1991): 557-564. Predmore, Richard. "The Hero's Trial in 'Rappaccini's Daughter.'" English Language Notes 15 (1978): 284-291. Ross, Morton "What Happens in 'Rappaccini's Daughter.'" American Literature: A Journal of Literary History, Criticism, and Bibliography 43 (1971): 336-345.Stoehr, Taylor's Mad Scientists: Pseudoscience and Social Science in Nineteenth Century Life and Letters Hamden: Archon Books, 1978.Uroff, M.D doctors in 'Rapaccini's Daughter.'" Nineteenth-century fiction 27 (1973): 61-70.