change, he must accept responsibility for his actions.
As Allen continues through each circle, he starts realizing why everyone he and Benito encounter are in theses specific rings. While Allen is listening to the story and experiences of each character, it evokes a feeling that he has never felt before, sympathy. At first, Allen doubts Benito’s ability to get him out of Hell which he shows when Benito says, “We could walk for eternity and never reach the wall… No you don't believe me. Very well, convince yourself. Continue toward the wall. Continue until even you are certain it can never be reached”(Niven 22). Throughout the novel, Benito earns Allen's trust. As Benito begins to gain Allen's trust, it shows he is truly evolving. For another example, he reveals signs of change when he encounters a catatonic under water. Catatonics have a rare disorder where they will take any position and hold it indefinitely. Allen sees a girl and immediately feels bad, so he decides to help her by reaching under the water and pulling “her up or sitting position … Now she’d be able to breath”(83). These two quotes show how Allen is evolving and starting to learn about his true self. The people he meets through his journey play a big role in changing his views by influencing his new evolving personality.
While Allen is journeying through Hell, he realizes how the times have changed throughout history. The past monsters of the world open up his eyes to show him the type of world in which he lives. As he enters the eighth circle of Hell, he finds out Benito’s true identity. When the others in the eighth ring announce who Allen’s guide truly is, Allen’s responds by saying “Led me here, deeper into Hell I knew it all along! Mussolini. What better choice for the devil's agent, to wander through Hell corrupting souls already half corrupted?” (186). This shows not only how Allen is changing when he pushes Benito back into his rightful place, but it shows how even people that are branded as incapable of change, can evolve too. Even though Allen discovers Benito’s past and sins, he realizes how even though Benito is considered a villain, he too is changing by helping others get out of Hell. Benito proves he’s changing when he says to Allen, “I cannot leave. There are others to rescue”(229). This quote reveals Benito’s changing views on helping people. Allen says to Benito, “You’ve changed since you reached Hell. You’ve given me no evil council”(229). Benito realizes how helping the others escape has helped him better himself which leads Benito to listen to Allen and ultimately, escape Hell.
For Allen to leave Hell, he must understand why he has been there in the first place and to find out the purpose of Hell. Allen refuses to leave Satan's home because he feels the need “to know the purpose of Hell.”(232) before he escapes. Allen finally realizes the true purpose of Hell which is, “If nothing can get a soul to Heaven in it’s life, there’s still Hell, God's last attempt to get his attention”(232). This quote pertains to the people that haven't met Hell or Heaven yet. Allen is referring to the people who God has continuously failed to change from sinners into saints, who instead of ending up in Heaven, arrive in Hell. By Allen staying to take Benito’s spot as the guide through Hell, it shows the recurring theme of change in a person who is considered “unchangeable”. Allen isn't scared to stay in Hell because of the pain or wounds that may be inflicted on him, but the doubts that will flood back in when he enters the exit of Lucifer’s den when he says to himself, “No. My fear was the doubts that would return. They would come, and I’d just have to live with them, and fight them with my memory of these few moments of peace. There were no doubts here. None at all”(234). Overall, Allen realizes that he isn’t ready to leave Hell since he is not fully changed yet.
The development of Allen’s character shows how his journey through the rings of Hell has changed him immensely.
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
Hell.
Allen Carpentier’s character develops greatly throughout this novel and journey. At the end, he truly understands the purpose of Hell, why he was placed there, and learned about his true self and the world he lives in. This is shown when he says, “They have me. I put out my hand. Good-bye, Benito. Good luck. I hope you find --”(233). This shows how even though it was Benito’s goal to get Allen out of hell, Allen decided to let Benito escape and stay himself. For Benito to finally let go of his role as the guide through Hell, it also shows how Allen has a strong influence over him as well. This novel reveals not only Allens transformation but, Benito’s as well. Allen sacrifices his freedom for another which shows his vast change throughout the journey. Allen and Benito both hold a great amount of influence over each other and the others around them throughout each circle. They both show it without realizing that they do care for one another. As they travel through the rings their signs of change chip away at each other through time. The recurring theme in this novel that is proven by both Allen and Benito is that in order for one to change, they must accept responsibility for their past sins and actions. Allen and Benito prove this theme time and again. They prove it by showing each other that they both do have a good inside and their new views on life. While Allen witnesses each ring, pieces of him change. While he is traveling through the rings, he learns the truth about the real world he lives in by seeing all of the past monsters of time. He also learns about his true self throughout this voyage through Satan’s residence. Allen became a better person as a result of his expedition through Hell.