Dante Canto 1

Plan your modern version of Dante's midlife crisis. How would Canto 1 be different if it were about YOUR life?
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  1. You are in a "dark wood." What does that mean for you? 


  1. How old do you think you would be during your "midlife crisis"? 


  1. What would be the "hill to heaven" that you would feel blocked from in this part of your life? 


  1. Which of these (pick as many as you want) might block you from getting to your "heaven"?
    being lazy
    getting bad grades
    being depressed/anxious
    having low self-confidence
    not earning enough money
    being negative/pessimistic
    being a follower rather than a leader
    not trying to do my best
    other


  1. Dante lost hope when the 3 animals blocked him. What would you do that would show your friends and family that you had lost hope? (Pick as many as you want)
    stop eating
    stop texting/communicating with friends
    stay home and sleep all the time
    watch TV all day
    fail your classes
    go bankrupt
    sell all your belongings
    try to hurt yourself
    cry a lot
    other


  1. Which of these people would be good choices for someone to guide you through your hell and help you prepare for a better life so you can achieve your goals ("get to heaven")? Rank each of them on a scale of 1-5.
    1. Your best friend

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. Your mother or father

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. Your sister or brother

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. Another relative

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. A teacher

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. A counselor

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. A famous person

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. Other
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8


  1. Dante asks Virgil several questions when he meets him. What would you ask your guide? Think of at least 3 questions.


  1. Virgil tells Dante that he will guide him through hell to help you prepare better for heaven. What would your guide need to guide you through to prepare you for a better life? What would you need to learn?


  1. Virgil tells Dante that someone better will lead him to heaven when he is done with hell. Who will that person be for you? Why?


  1. Write one paragraph to tell your story using the information given here. Here is an example:
    I am 40 years old and going through hard times. My mother has just died. I feel all alone in the world. I am very depressed and unable to do anything but sleep....etc., etc.

    Now tell your story! (It should match the things you said in the survey)





Dynnelle
English Dept. Chairperson
The Learning Center for the Deaf
Framingham, MA