Achieving a Balance in One's Life

The story states a huge emphasis on achieving balance in one's life. When Giovanni first arrives in Padua, though naive, he has obviously spent a lot of his time concentrating on his intellectual side and not enough time on his more romantic passionate side. Consequently, the garden and the beautiful Beatrice fascinate him, seeing them as a vehicle he can discover that underdeveloped side of himself.

In comparison, the other characters have concentrated on one side of their personality for so long and developed it so fully, there seems no chance they could ever find any balance in their lives. Baglioni and Rappaccni have become obsessed with science and intellect. Rappaccini's garden and his quest to find cures has become so important to him, he has forgotten that his initial was aim was to help humankind. The only thing he has achieved is...