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The Long and Winding Road // Jackson Riddle

As a fan of mystery novels, I enjoy how Dante's Inferno begins with Dante waking up with no knowledge of how he got where he is, knowing only that he strayed from what he calls the "True Way". In Canto 1, I found it interesting that upon encountering the leopard, lion and she-wolf, Dante agrees to follow the shade of Virgil through the depths of hell. Virgil promises that once they have passed through some of hell a worthier guide with lead Dante to heaven, but it would seem that journeying through hell would be a more arduous decision than simply overcoming the animals and carrying on, attaining the right path by some other means. By placing the protagonist in the "Dark Wood" with the drive to get onto the "True Way", Dante symbolizes the spiritual journey of humanity. Dante realizes his own humanity and strives to attain greatness before God's eyes, and thus is willing to make the trek through the layers of hell to reach true goodness in heaven. Dante's encounter with the animals that block his path is symbolic of the worldly obstacles that block the path of Christians living an easy life. As Christians we are not called to live easy lives; in fact, Jesus himself says that serving him will not make this life any easier. He says so in 2 Timothy 3:12: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Just as Dante is forced to make a journey through literal hell to reach goodness and eternity with Christ in heaven, so we must make the choice to follow the narrow path that Jesus promises will be much more challenging but will have everlasting rewards.

Edit: I commented on Clabo and Logan's posts

Comments

  1. ClaboMarch 15, 2021 at 11:43 PM

    I definitely agree with you man. This book so far has a lot of symbolism with what Christian life has looked like throughout time. It shows so much of the things people struggle with that cause them to stumble in their Christian walk.

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