SCIENCE AS SERVANT OF MAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS IN NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE’S “RAPPACCINI’S DAUGHTER”

Abstract:

This paper examines the concern of man to improve his life condition through scientific experiment in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Rappaccini’s Daughter”. Through an investigation of the impact of Doctor Rappaccini’s experiments on the fauna and flora, it further explores the environmental constraints upon scientific endeavour. Against the backdrop of the poststructuralist literary approach and ecocriticism, the paper anchors on the assumption that nature places tight constraints on the anthropological strife to better life on the basis of science. Based upon descriptive qualitative method and library documentation, the research findings indicate that research area, subjects, and instruments of any study carried out to improve human life condition should be in accord with environmental sustainability standards.

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