Inferno Canto 9

     INFERNO

Canto IX

v Summary:

Dante waits afraid outside of the gate to the City of Dis as Virgil fails to get Dante inside with him. While the two talk, Virgil tells Dante of Erichtho who summoned a spirit from the lowest level of hell. Virgil continues to assure Dante that they will continue their journey without anyone stopping them. Soon, the angles return and shut the gates ending their conversation. When Virgil returns, he tells Dante that soon an angel from Heaven will come to open the gates for them.

Dante sees three Furies who call for Medusa to come and turn Dante into stone. Virgil places his hands over Dante’s eyes, warning him to cover his eyes from Medusa’s head. A loud noise makes its way over the Styx, while spirits rush away from him. The messenger arrives to the gate and demands for it to be opened for the travelers, and soon his task is completed.                                                                The two poets enter the gates leading into the Sixth Circle of Hell. As they walk in, Dante sees the huge graveyard with tombs covering the land. Sounds of torture and cries come from the open tombs, as hot flames outside each wall raise them. Dante asks who the sinners are inside the tombs, and Virgil answers that they are the arch-heretics and those that follow them.

v Sin:

In Level 6, the walled city is filled with heretics. These are the people who denied immortality of the soul and are there because they chose wrongly. The difference with them and the virtuous pagans, and opportunists is that the pagans had no choice, and the opportunists did not choose. “Dante opts for the most generic conception of heresy--the denial of the soul's immortality (Inf. 10.15)”

v Punishment for their sins:

The heretics came to a decision with God which was wrong, leading to them being inside the walled city. Living in full distress and torment punishes the heretics. Burning tombs cover the land with hot flames where they stay. 

v Link to contrapasso:

      Failing to believe in God and the afterlife leaves them to lie where they wont be offered any leisure. They now stay with the three infernal Furies that live in this circle. Dante uses this circle to present a clear and effective form of contrapasso. The heretical souls will be tormented in fiery tombs endlessly because they believed that there was no heaven and god.

v Character Analysis:

Alecto, Tisiphone, and Megaera: (Greek and Roman Mythology) 3 terrible female spirits, known as furies, with snake as hair, and who punish those of unavenged crimes. The three furies live in level six and work with Medusa.

Medusa: (Greek Mythology) She is one of 3 Gorgons who turns humans into stone when they look at her. Like the furies, she also has snakes as hair. 

Hell-Virgil

      To help me make it through hell, I would choose Virgil. Like Dante, Virgil also wrote about hell. The only difference is that Virgil wrote of hell first. If Dante, who now knows so much of hell had chosen Virgil as a guide, I expect Virgil to be just as good as a guide for me. Virgil was also successful in getting Dante, the pilgrim, through hell.
      Virgil wrote a story of a hero, and his voyage through hell and getting into heaven by getting his sins forgiven by working them out.

Picture number 13

        On the coldest day of winter, I could feel my face begin to freeze. As we drove down the main intersection, windows down, cold air rushing towards us causing our fair to fly in every direction, laughing and singing at the top of our lungs. "Lauren, I'm taking a video for my sister, say hi," soon it was Lauren's face on the screen lit up with joy. She exclaimed, "Hi Victoria! Wish you were here!" It was true, we both wished she could be with us so that the shame we had from driving a blue honda mini-van would be gone as once as we stepped in her black slick camero.
         Until the video ended, we screamed and laughed hoping Victoria would feel as if she too were with us getting frozen by the air hitting our faces causing our cheeks to turn pink. Soon we came up with a new idea of what to do, Lauren was so exited to tell me her idea that she blurted out "Okay, these are the rules!" Explaining to me that we would test to see who could last the longest with the windows down and no heaters. I took on the challenge without second guessing myself. I know I could win without a doubt. With a smile on her face she counted, "1...2....3!"
         As we rushed down the road screaming and laughing of the pain caused by each slap from the could win, I screamed in pain, "Put on the heater! I lose!" I couldn't take the pain any longer, I quickly pushed the window button and my face and began to melt like a popsicle under the sun, making my entire body warm.
         Lauren and I had the most fun that winter break. Even with a 5 minute drive to the mall, we were able to have a long lasting memory.

Riddle (IPod)

I can help you keep calm,
just by sitting in your palm.
My multiple sizes,
can also determine my prices.
I can be tucked in a pocket, or fill an entire room.
I contain multiple uses, but only one truly produces.
I am not a candle,
but I can light the dark.

New Car

       It was between two brand new cars. Both I liked for different things, and the price was in the same range. I had no idea how to make this sort of decision, it was all in my hands. My parents had limited my cost, and style of car, but I honestly wish they could have helped me by adding even more specific restrictions, which sounds ridiculous for a teenager to say.
       I felt lost, I was a complete mess when it came to big decisions like this. I honestly was still shaking with excitement at the thought of having my license yet alone having a car of my own. It was the beginning to more freedom, more than I probably need. But I enjoyed it, nevertheless.
       My anticipation grew each day. How could they (my parents) do this to me? Show me two dealerships, narrow it down to two luxury cars, and then tell me to "just wait a few days."A "few days" felt more like a few months. I never thought my desperation would reach to such a point.
       Each day when I would arrive home, I would wish that they would have chosen my car and have it sitting in the drive way with a big red velvet bow sitting on top of the black glossy car. Fresh rubber tires on our cement driveway, sitting in the shade, a beautiful car, just for me.
        Obviously that wasn't the case. What really happened was me, choosing the one car over the other. Do I regret it? Not really, I guess I don't really know. The big problem I had was colors. It was as if I had no point of view, and that feeling drove me crazy (no pun intended). I had to ask my parents over and over, "Do you like this one? What do you think?"But honestly, it was me who had to make the choice.
         Could I honestly be so stupid not to know what I prefer, in colors. The hard part was over, it was suppose to be easy. And with each decision I made, I maid with uncertainty in my trembling voice. My answers started to sound like questions, and then it was all over. The uncertainly changed to a new owner of a car fortunate enough to have been recognized by her parents for her accomplishments, in which I can't be humble enough for such a gift.
______________________Change in point of view to Mom_________________________________
          I hope she realizes what I'm doing for her. Its still shocking to me to see my youngest daughter turn into what she is today. I'm proud of her, but I'm scared to let her go. She deserved a new car, shes worked for it, and waited longer than she probably wanted.
          Am I doing the right thing? Of course I am, why wouldn't I be? I mean I know she hasn't had a full year practice in the truck like her sister, but Victoria was 17 when she was given a new car. I can only be understanding with Alex. Her health issues have caused this delay, and I want to make up for lost time. What's wrong with that?
           I have confidence in her. She's much more responsible and mature than her sister, even being two years younger. Now its time to choose a car, and while listening to the Audi salesman explain the features and safety of the car while Alex sits inside and learns with me, I feel more comfortable with this decision.
            Audis safety is much more higher than that of most cars, and its the car I have heard Alex has repeatedly told me she wants. This is it, we're getting her the car of her dreams and I couldn't be anymore...scared. I mean I'm happy for her, but at the same time I have to be a mother and I have the right to be scared.
             While Alex is worrying about black, grey or tan colors, all I can think about is her safety! Of course I car about the colors and car itself...I have an opinion of my own too. But at the end of the day I know I have to let her make a decision and I'm sure it will be the right choice. As I take the pen, I firmly sign my signature with approval that everything will be alright.