My education in classics of Western lit is a condemnation both of the American educational system, and my own pitifully lacking drive to improve myself. It was not until a short time before starting on SoTC that I ever read anything by Dante.
I started The Divine Comedy with, of course, with Inferno. I eventually got halfway through Purgatorio. I never even started Paradiso. I do intend to finish the trilogy.
I have only read Longfellow’s translation. I have a prejudice to forego footnotes and just stick to the text. I am so glad I did not pursue that course. The footnotes opened for me a world of understanding of the verses.
I hate to step one any toes, but I must say that I think Dante was one sick puppy. The horrors he imagined were… remarkable. And because of that they formed what I consider a fitting backdrop for issues of ultimate judgement. While I take issue with much of Inferno’s imagery, it works for my purposes.
The specifics of where I differ with Dante will wait for when those issues arise.
As for Annie and Reverend Ackermann: So much to say here. But, in what is becoming an annoying refrain, the full discussion has to wait till later. For now I just want to say that although the Reverend is not giving Annie the guidance she longs for, it is not due to any ill will on his part. He is trying, honestly trying, to help her. The ways he is failing, and the reasons for them, are part of what will wait.
For now I do just want to state that I am not scornful of him, just disappointed. In various ways, I’m disappointed with most of my characters. They are annoyingly human.
Annie’s visit to Thorne Creek Cemetery echoes some of my experiences. Cemeteries, despite the real life experience I relayed early on in these blogs, are a sobering place of solemn reflection for me.
The ending of the chapter, with Lewee’s visit to the unnamed storefront, I hope leaves the reader anxious for more. Is her business there illicit? Immoral? Shameful in some way? If it did not leave you wondering that, then I failed. Feel free to leave notes about your reaction to this scene in the comments area, below.