Reading Dante’s Inferno enabled me to realize numerous things about myself that have gone unnoticed for a number of years. Inferno in a poem that tells the dream of a poet named Dante who had to get through the different level of Hell with his angel Virgil. With this being said, Dante was given a chance to see the consequences of sins that people commit daily. While reading them poem, I was able to put myself in Dante’s shoes and I realized that there are many things that I do now that put me in different categories of Hell. For example, one level of hell that I fit into was the level that all of the people who submit to anger. Once I read this canto, I was a bit confused and you guessed it, angry. I wasn’t sure why being angry was a sin. But, after I summarized the canto up, I noticed that although I do submit to anger on occasion, I am not angry all of the time. This some what lightened the load for me simply because I know that I have time to correct what has become somewhat a habit for me.
Dante’s Inferno has definitely been an eye opener for me simply because it allowed me to do a little introspection and figure out what it is that I need to work on in my life. Although, I’m sure it is going to be a difficult task, I know that it isn’t impossible to right the wrongs that I have committed in the past. For example, I find it hard to believe that there are any perfect people in the world but, at the same time, I feel that there is a limit to the number of sins that a person can commit. I realize that God is supposed to be forgiving and I also realize that he is a jealous God as well. With this being said, instead of people begging for forgiveness constantly, I believe that they should stop committing the same sin repetitively. This not only goes for others but, for me as well simply because we all know right from wrong and if the truth be told we take advantage of God’s kindness. I found it understandable that the people who were not baptized were the ones that were in the first level of Hell simply because everyone has at least one opportunity to accept Jesus Christ and if they don’t use that moment then they deserve to go to Hell. Although what I just said doesn’t apply to me, I know that there are times that I ask for forgiveness more than once but, I also know that after a short period of time I notice my dilemma and I correct it. I believe, that others are smart enough to do the very same. With this being said, Inferno allows everyone that read the poem a chance to examine themselves and fix what ever character flaws they may have. No matter if it is submission anger, not being baptized, or even lusting after another person everyone was given an opportunity.
In conclusion, Dante’s Inferno was a poem that had a message that is unforgettable and really hit home with me. Although, there are some things that I do not agree with in the Inferno, I was able to get what I feel to be the most important element of the poem. After reading the Inferno, I was able to make connections and really obtain a better understanding about myself and where I falter. I believe the most promising thing about any book or poem that I read is finding something in it that I can relate to. Dante’s Inferno did just that.
While doing my research on npr.org, I found the article, "....Tough Road Ahead", to be something worthwhile that I couldn't pass up. After listening to the story of the many people who aged out of the foster care I began to see a trend. I noticed that each person who aged out of the system had either a tough time being productive in the real world or didn't succeed in life at all. While listening to the conversations, I began to think of the advantage that people who were not in the system had over those who have been in the system all of their childhood and teenage years.
