'Inferno': Allen's Self-Discovery
Allen’s Self-Discovery Allen’s persona is tested countless times throughout his journey in Hell. As the story develops, he is able to overcome his selfish personality and find a balance within himself. In the novel Inferno, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, the main character Allen, travels through the nine rings of Hell. As Allen witnesses each ring, a little piece of him changes with each one. While he is traveling through the circles, he learns a lot about the world he lives in by seeing all of the past monsters of time. In order for Allen to escape Hell, he must accept why he is there in the first place. Allen’s journey proves the theme by showing his development throughout the novel. As he enters each circle and he automatically starts judging each person by the sin they have committed. The recurring theme in this novel is acceptance. In order for Allen to
…show more content…
For example, he starts to show selflessness and sympathy for the others in the circles. He never used to care about anything or anyone except himself. He shows the first sign of change when Corbett tells Allen what makes up the island. Corbett explains this wretched island when he says, “We on the island, we killed people, just like you in the swimming hole. But we all had some excuse, some reasons we had to kill. Like me. There was a range war going on. We wasn’t even the ones that started it”(126). Allen reacts to Corbett’s description by saying, “The islands people? Live people?”(127). He doesn’t comprehend why people would be destined for that abuse. This leads back to his character development and shows his changing persona. Another example of Allen’s changed conscience is shown when he stops to talk to his nephews teachers, Mrs.Herrnstein. Allen shouted, “Mrs. Herrnstein! Why?”(172). This quote reveals how Allen does care for others but never realized until his journey through
For example, he starts to show selflessness and sympathy for the others in the circles. He never used to care about anything or anyone except himself. He shows the first sign of change when Corbett tells Allen what makes up the island. Corbett explains this wretched island when he says, “We on the island, we killed people, just like you in the swimming hole. But we all had some excuse, some reasons we had to kill. Like me. There was a range war going on. We wasn’t even the ones that started it”(126). Allen reacts to Corbett’s description by saying, “The islands people? Live people?”(127). He doesn’t comprehend why people would be destined for that abuse. This leads back to his character development and shows his changing persona. Another example of Allen’s changed conscience is shown when he stops to talk to his nephews teachers, Mrs.Herrnstein. Allen shouted, “Mrs. Herrnstein! Why?”(172). This quote reveals how Allen does care for others but never realized until his journey through