Original Text(~250 words)
Our journey was not slacken’d by our talk, Nor yet our talk by journeying. Still we spake, And urg’d our travel stoutly, like a ship When the wind sits astern. The shadowy forms, That seem’d things dead and dead again, drew in At their deep-delved orbs rare wonder of me, Perceiving I had life; and I my words Continued, and thus spake; “He journeys up Perhaps more tardily then else he would, For others’ sake. But tell me, if thou know’st, Where is Piccarda? Tell me, if I see Any of mark, among this multitude, Who eye me thus.”—“My sister (she for whom, ’Twixt beautiful and good I cannot say Which name was fitter) wears e’en now her crown, And triumphs in Olympus.” Saying this, He added: “Since spare diet hath so worn Our semblance out, ’tis lawful here to name Each one . This,” and his finger then he rais’d, “Is Buonaggiuna,—Buonaggiuna, he Of Lucca: and that face beyond him, pierc’d Unto a leaner fineness than the rest, Had keeping of the church: he was of Tours, And purges by wan abstinence away Bolsena’s eels and cups of muscadel.” He show’d me many others, one by one, And all, as they were nam’d, seem’d well content; For no dark gesture I discern’d in any. I saw through hunger Ubaldino grind His teeth on emptiness; and Boniface, That wav’d the crozier o’er a num’rous flock. I saw the Marquis, who tad time erewhile To swill at Forli with less drought,...
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
Dante encounters souls being purified of gluttony, their bodies wasted from spiritual hunger rather than physical want. Among them is Forese, who introduces Dante to famous poets and church leaders, all reduced to skeletal forms by their purification process. The most significant meeting is with Bonagiunta, a poet from Lucca who recognizes Dante as the creator of a 'new sweet style' of poetry. This becomes a pivotal moment about artistic evolution - Bonagiunta acknowledges that he and his contemporaries were held back by old conventions, while Dante's generation broke free to create something fresh and authentic. The conversation reveals how creative breakthroughs happen when artists stop following rigid rules and start writing from genuine inspiration. Forese then departs with a cryptic prophecy about political corruption, leaving Dante to continue his journey. The chapter ends as they approach another tree, where souls reach desperately for fruit they cannot grasp - a powerful image of desire that cannot be satisfied through force or greed. This encounter shows how true artistic growth requires both recognizing your influences and having the courage to surpass them, while also demonstrating that spiritual progress sometimes means leaving behind even meaningful connections when it's time to move forward.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Purgatory
In medieval Christian belief, a place where souls are purified of their sins before entering heaven. Unlike hell, it's temporary - souls here are getting better, not being punished forever. The process is painful but hopeful.
Modern Usage:
We talk about 'going through purgatory' when describing any difficult but necessary process of improvement or healing.
Gluttony
One of the seven deadly sins, meaning excessive consumption or greed for more than you need. In Dante's time, this included not just overeating but any form of selfish overindulgence. The punishment fits the crime - former gluttons now waste away from hunger.
Modern Usage:
We see this in consumer culture, social media addiction, or any behavior where we consume more than we need while others go without.
Sweet New Style
A revolutionary approach to poetry that Dante helped create, focusing on genuine emotion and personal experience rather than following rigid traditional rules. It was 'new' because it broke from convention, and 'sweet' because it felt natural and authentic.
Modern Usage:
Any time artists or creators break from established formulas to create something more authentic and personal.
Artistic Evolution
The process by which art forms grow and change as new generations build on but ultimately surpass their predecessors. Each generation must respect what came before while having courage to create something new.
Modern Usage:
We see this in music genres evolving, new film techniques, or how each generation of writers finds their own voice.
Spiritual Hunger
A deep longing for meaning, purpose, or connection that can't be satisfied by material things. In this chapter, souls experience physical hunger as they purge their spiritual emptiness.
Modern Usage:
That feeling of emptiness that shopping, food, or entertainment can't fill - the sense that something deeper is missing.
Prophetic Warning
A prediction about future consequences, usually given as a warning to change course. In medieval literature, these often came from religious figures or the dead who could see patterns the living missed.
Modern Usage:
Like when someone warns about the long-term effects of current bad decisions - 'If you keep this up, you'll end up like...'
Characters in This Chapter
Dante
Protagonist/pilgrim
Still alive and traveling through the afterlife, he draws amazed stares from the souls who recognize his living breath. He's learning about artistic growth and the courage needed to surpass your influences.
Modern Equivalent:
The person trying to better themselves while still figuring out their path
Forese
Guide/old friend
Dante's friend who died and is now being purified of gluttony. He introduces Dante to other souls and shares wisdom about spiritual growth, showing how death can bring clarity about life's priorities.
Modern Equivalent:
The old friend who got their life together and now offers perspective on your struggles
Bonagiunta
Mentor/predecessor poet
A poet from an earlier generation who recognizes Dante's revolutionary 'sweet new style.' He admits his own generation was held back by rigid conventions, showing the humility needed to acknowledge when others have surpassed you.
Modern Equivalent:
The veteran in your field who graciously recognizes that the younger generation has found better ways to do things
Piccarda
Absent beloved sister
Though not present, she represents the hope of reunion and the joy of those who have completed their spiritual journey. Her mention shows how love continues beyond death.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member who made it out and gives everyone else hope
Boniface
Purging church leader
A former church official now wasted by hunger, showing that even religious authority doesn't exempt you from needing spiritual purification. His presence demonstrates that leadership roles don't guarantee spiritual health.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss or authority figure who turns out to have their own serious issues to work through
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish genuine breakthroughs from mere rebellion by watching how established experts respond.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when experienced people acknowledge that newer approaches actually work better - that's your signal you've found real innovation, not just change for change's sake.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"My sister, she for whom, 'twixt beautiful and good I cannot say which name was fitter, wears e'en now her crown, and triumphs in Olympus."
Context: When Dante asks about Piccarda, Forese proudly tells him she has made it to Paradise.
This shows how those who truly loved someone celebrate their success rather than feeling envious. Forese's joy at his sister's spiritual triumph reveals the pure love that survives death and purification.
In Today's Words:
My sister - and I can't even say whether she was more beautiful or good - she made it to the top and she's absolutely thriving now.
"Since spare diet hath so worn our semblance out, 'tis lawful here to name each one."
Context: Explaining why he can identify the other souls despite their wasted appearance.
The purification process strips away external appearances, making identification difficult. But this also suggests that true recognition comes from knowing someone's essence, not their looks.
In Today's Words:
We're all so skinny from this spiritual diet that you can't tell who anyone is, so I'll have to introduce everyone.
"But tell me, if thou know'st, where is Piccarda?"
Context: Dante immediately asks about someone he cares about when given the chance.
Even in this extraordinary spiritual journey, Dante's first concern is for people he loves. This shows that genuine care for others remains central even during personal transformation.
In Today's Words:
But tell me - do you know where Piccarda is?
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Creative Evolution
When established figures acknowledge that newer approaches have genuinely surpassed their own methods, creating space for innovation to flourish.
Thematic Threads
Artistic Growth
In This Chapter
Dante's poetry is recognized as breaking free from old conventions to create authentic new expression
Development
First clear articulation of creative evolution theme
In Your Life:
Any time you develop your own style at work instead of just following the manual
Recognition
In This Chapter
Bonagiunta gracefully acknowledges Dante's superior poetic innovation without bitterness
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
When you have to admit someone else's way actually works better than yours
Spiritual Progress
In This Chapter
Forese must leave Dante behind to continue his purification journey
Development
Continues theme of necessary separation for growth
In Your Life:
Times when moving forward means leaving even good relationships behind
Unreachable Desire
In This Chapter
Souls desperately reaching for fruit they cannot grasp through force or greed
Development
New manifestation of desire theme
In Your Life:
Wanting something so badly that your desperation actually prevents you from getting it
Breaking Conventions
In This Chapter
Dante's generation broke free from rigid poetic rules to write from genuine inspiration
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
Any time you stop following the 'right way' and start doing what actually works
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following George's story...
George sits in the break room with his former supervisor Janet, who got demoted after the restructuring while he got promoted to shift lead. Janet looks worn down, her confidence stripped away like the souls in Dante's terrace. She surprises him by saying, 'You know what? You were right about changing how we handle the morning rush. I was stuck doing things the old way because that's how I learned it fifteen years ago.' She admits she couldn't adapt when corporate demanded new efficiency metrics, while George naturally found solutions that actually worked. Other veteran employees nod in agreement - they see George brought something fresh that they couldn't access themselves. But then Janet gets called away to another department, leaving George feeling both validated and alone. As he walks past the vending machine, he watches coworkers desperately trying to shake snacks loose that won't fall - a perfect image of people trying to force results instead of finding better approaches.
The Road
The road Dante walked in 1320, George walks today. The pattern is identical: recognition from those who came before, followed by the isolation that comes with moving beyond familiar ground.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for handling recognition gracefully while preparing for the loneliness of leadership. George can use it to understand that acknowledgment from experienced people validates his approach, but true progress means continuing forward even when mentors can't follow.
Amplification
Before reading this, George might have felt guilty about surpassing Janet or doubted whether his methods were actually better. Now he can NAME the pattern of graceful recognition, PREDICT that growth sometimes means leaving good people behind, and NAVIGATE the transition from follower to leader with both humility and confidence.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What did Bonagiunta mean when he called Dante's poetry a 'new sweet style,' and why was this recognition significant?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think Bonagiunta could acknowledge Dante's superior approach without feeling threatened or defensive?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of an experienced person gracefully recognizing that someone newer has found a better way?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle being in Bonagiunta's position - recognizing that someone has surpassed your methods or achievements?
application • deep - 5
What does this encounter reveal about how real progress happens in any field or relationship?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Innovation Moment
Think of a time when you broke away from 'how things are usually done' to find a better approach - at work, in parenting, in a relationship, or solving a problem. Write down what the old way was, what breakthrough you made, and who (if anyone) recognized your new approach. Then flip it: recall a time when someone else's fresh method made you realize your way was outdated.
Consider:
- •Focus on genuine breakthroughs, not just rebellion against rules
- •Notice whether recognition came from people who understood the work deeply
- •Consider how you felt in both the innovator and the established role
Journaling Prompt
Write about a situation where you need to choose between defending your current approach and acknowledging someone else's better method. What's holding you back from making that choice?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 59: The Science of Souls and Shadows
Moving forward, we'll examine to ask the right questions when you're confused about something important, and understand some mysteries require deeper explanation than surface-level answers. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.