Throughout the book I held a observational mindset. The lack of relevant symbolism's made such a mind set applicable. The majority of symbols were used as a means of pointing out the fallacy of others, particularly those in corrupt political and religious offices. Erroneously, I did not actively seek a theme while reading the story and did not search for one until after. The book is divided into Cantos, rather than chapters. Each round of Hell is described in one or two Cantos. The guide, Virgil, is always insistent that "time is short." This sense of being rushed is only compounded by the fast-paced, rhythmic reading. As compared to commercial fiction pieces, Inferno does not hold interest with suspense or entertainment. It holds interest using curiosity. Each canto ends with a rhyming couplet which piques interest for the next section, such as "... something on the bottom - so it rose/ its arms spread upwards and its feet drawn close" (147). A closing such as this raises the question of 'what is it?' in the reader. Thus the end of each section is a hook for the next.
Discussion Questions
1. Why was Dante in the Dark Wood of Error in the first place? 2. Why was Dante lead through Hell, rather than protected from the beasts? 3. Was Dante meant to return to the path? 4. Why are some not accepted even in Hell? 5. Why is the bottom frozen while the level above burns?