Larry Niven Meets Dante Alighieri Part 2 Quiz

Answer: Sylvia Plath

All four of these individuals committed suicide, but the "tree" is clearly identified by herself and others as Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) a twentieth-century American poet. Perhaps best known for the novel "The Bell Jar", Plath also published several books of poems including "Ariel" which is quoted by Carpenter.

While in "tree" form, Sylvia and the other "trees" can only speak through pain caused by someone breaking a branch or gashing the tree in some way. During the course of the novel Allen and Sylvia seem to be developing, if not a romantic interest in each other, at least a strong connection.

Answer: lawyer

Rosemary makes references to working in the Prosecutor's Office. She also said that she tried to be a good lawyer, wife, and mother, but found it hard to juggle the three roles. Raised in Texas, she moved to New Orleans with her husband. She recognized several members of the New Orleans Levee Board when they are being tried by Minos, and says that she had lunch with them on occasion and thought they were good people.

Answer: Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith (1967-2007) was born Vickie Lynn Hogan in Texas. She was known for appearing as a centerfold in Playboy Magazine, modeled for Guess Jeans and appeared in her own reality tv show. She was briefly married to oil millionaire J. Howard Marshall, who was over sixty years her senior.

In the story, Rosemary says that she and Anna worked together at Wal-Mart when they were still living in Texas. Of the other three choices, Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield both died in the 1960s, before the publication of "Inferno", and Jenny McCarthy was alive when "Escape From Hell" was published.

Answer: She agrees to stay

Rosemary runs into an old colleague, James Girard, who convinces Rosemary to work for him in the Prosecutor's Office of Hell. Girard explains that Hell is reorganizing and modernizing in response to the Vatican Two council (1962-1965). Many people will be eligible for new trials. Allen seems disappointed that Rosemary wants to take this job and keep people in Hell, but Rosemary seems interested in the job.

Answer: He is working as a guard

Billy is the commander of a group of guards supervising prisoners in the river. He is equipped with a pistol and a Bowie knife. He has been given this job because his reasons for violence have changed. Allen feels that Billy enjoys his new job and is not interested in leaving it.

Answer: At an ice cream stand

Don Camillus is wearing the black robe of a priest. He has five flavors of ice cream available, including vanilla and chocolate. He gives Allen and Sylvia advice and encouragement before they continue their journey. In the first book, he had helped Allen rescue Benito Mussolini from the pit into which he had thrown him.

Answer: His soul inhabits a car

Oscar was a NASCAR driver when he was alive. His physical body is in the trunk of the car his soul inhabits. Allen and his friends ride in or on Oscar's car through much of the eighth and ninth circles. While in the two books, multiple people are described as leaving hell, no one is described as being sent down to hell from either Heaven or Purgatory.

Answer: Aimee Semple McPherson

Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944) was a Pentecostal minister and media celebrity. Operating out of the Los Angeles area, she preached at the Angelus Temple. She was a pioneer in the use of radio by religious figures. In the context of the story, McPherson has been given leave to travel through Hell on her motorcycle and attempt to save souls.

Answer: Grima Wormtongue

Frederick Lindemann, Lord Cherwell, advised Winston Churchill to approve fire bombing of German cities during World War II. Reinhard Heydrich was the Nazi administrator in charge of Bohemia during World War II. Jesse Unruh was the long-time California State Treasurer. Grima Wormtongue was also an evil counselor but, unlike the other three, was fictional.

In "The Lord of the Rings" he was an advisor to King Theoden of Rohan who turned out to be a double-agent serving Saruman.

Answer: He is leaving Hell

Allen does see figures who he believes are Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin, but he does not approach closer to investigate. As he had seen Benito Mussolini do in the previous book, he begins his ascent out of Hell. He speaks briefly with the devil, but focuses on the idea that he will soon see the stars. "Stars," incidentally, is the word that Dante used to end all three Books of "The Divine Comedy".