At this point, I began to become angry with Charon, nearly starting a brawl on the shore of the Styx. I only stopped when Professor Michael threatened to “Leave me in the fifth circle of Hell instead of the third tier of Purgatory.” Although I did not remember a thing about Dante’s Inferno, I understood that he meant business, so I shut my mouth and boarded the boat next to Charon.
When the boat docked, we all climbed out and looked at our new surroundings. Limbo seemed to be a dreary place, on “the brink of an abyss, the melancholy valley containing thundering, unending wails” (31). However, I was unable to see anything, for the valley was “dark and deep and filled with mist” (31). At this point, Professor Michael said, “I shall go first and you will follow me” (31).
“Did you just quote the Inferno?” I asked, both disgusted and impressed that he had memorized it. He just gave me a look and continued to lead us down to the valley. Throughout our journey, the sound of sighs became overwhelming, “causing the everlasting air to tremble” …show more content…
Anyway, I think this does a better job and gives Purgatory a new image.” While he continued babbling about Purgatory, I began to see visions of gentleness. I saw “some people in a temple; and a woman just at the threshold, in the gentle manner that mothers use, was saying, ‘O my son, why have you done this to us?’” (139).
In the back of my mind, I thought, “I would still ream that kid out.” The moment that thought crossed my mind, I felt an incredible amount of pain racing through my head. That was the first lesson I learned in Purgatory: They can read your mind.
Once I finished my initial treatment, they sent me outdoors, towards a darkness like I had never experienced before. The outside was pitch black and filthy, making it impossible for my eyes “to endure staying open” (145). The air was incredibly bitter, tasting like vomit, leaving the person feeling ill at all times. The smell was the worst, taking the form of sulfur, leaving the senses destroyed.
Turning towards Professor Michael, or at least where I assumed he was, I said “I guess this is it. Thanks for the tour.” He did not respond, but I knew that he felt sorry about my punishment. “Don’t worry,” I said, trying to fake cheerfulness, “This won’t be too bad. Anyways, when I get to Heaven I’ll drop you a