Larry Niven Meets Dante Alighieri Part 1 Quiz

Answer: Science fiction writer

Early in the book we learn that his real name was Allen Carpenter, but he added the "i" in his name to make it stand out more. He was a science fiction writer in life, and said that he had been nominated five times for an award, but hadn't won any. At one point, he compared himself unfavorably to Isaac Asimov, saying that Asimov drew far more of the crowd's attention than he did. On the evening of his death, he was at a party at a Science Fiction Convention.

Answer: He fell out of a window

Carpenter engages in what--looking back--he considers to be a stupid stunt. Having remembered a scene in "War and Peace", he recalls a character who was able to drink an entire bottle of liquor while standing on a window sill without holding on. He attempts to recreate this for the entertainment of the guests at the convention party he is attending. About halfway through the bottle of liquor, he slips and falls to his death.

Answer: Benito Mussolini

In real-life, Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was the Fascist leader of Italy for 21 years (1922-1943). In the book, Carpenter describes Benny as being tall but stocky, with a pronounced paunch. Carpenter also describes Benny as having a noticeable Mediterranean accent. Benny fills the role that Virgil played in "The Divine Comedy".

Answer: They ride in a crowded boat

They cross in a ferryboat operated by Charon, a character from Greek mythology. Charon is described as having "a long white beard and eyes like burning coals." The boat is very crowded during their trip. Charon recognizes Benny and strikes him, but to little effect.

Answer: He wraps his tail around the person

Minos wrapping his tail around the person matches fairly well with Dante's description. In both cases, the number of times the tail goes around the person is the number of the circle to which the person is assigned. Carpenter seems amazed at the "miles" of tail that appear and disappear.

When Minos attempts to judge Carpenter in this way, Benny intetvenes and tells Minos that Carpenter is not under his jurisdiction.

Answer: He attempts to fly a glider over the wall

Carpenter, using a large quantity of robes and a wooden frame he builds, constructs a glider. With Benny's help, he drags the glider to the top of a cliff and attempts to steer it over the wall. Although in the air they pick up Jerome Leigh Corbett, a space shuttle pilot who was being buffetted in the winds, the glider ultimately crashes. Carpenter and Corbett are both injured in the crash, but witness their bodies quickly heal--a side benefit to being dead.

Answer: William Bonney

William Bonney is better known by his alias, Billy the Kid. The seventh circle where the island and river of blood is located, focuses on punishing violence. Shortly after meeting Billy, Benny tells the group about the Wood of Suicides, which will play an important role in the next book.

Answer: one

Although Benny has gotten six souls out of Hell, it took six separate trips. He indicates that he has had larger groups travel with him, but only one ever seems to reach the end of the journey. This idea will continue to be important in the sequel. Benny indicates that he had not left Hell, but from his observation, Dante's description of how to do so appears to be correct.

Answer: He throws Benny into one of the Bolgia (pits)

Benito is betrayed by others in the pit who say that Benito is as bad as them. Although Benito Mussolini tries to protest, Allen is having none of it. He picks Benito up and throws him into the pit where Benito bursts into flame. Later, Allen regrets his decision and goes back to rescue Benito from the pit.

Answer: Benny

In the eighth circle, Corbett finally sees sinners too horrible for him to bear and he leaves the group. Billy is caught by his urge for violence and sent back to Minos for judgment. In the ninth circle of Hell, Allan tells Benny that he should be the one to leave this time. Allan decides to stay in Hell and take up Benny's work.