The Tenth Circle

The Tenth Circle is a 2006 novel by Jodi Picoult that focuses primarily on date rape, father/daughter relationships, adultery, and adolescence. It also is heavily influenced by Dante’s Inferno. The story takes place in Maine, where the protagonist, Trixie, accuses her ex boyfriend of date rape. Most of the town believes she is lying, and the fall out from the accusation is worsened when the ex-boyfriend is found dead in an apparent suicide. The story unfolds several layers that are deep as the allegory to Hell – exploring Trixie’s personal struggles, her father’s failed attempts to shelter her, and gradually revealing the truth. The aftermath of the tragedy, the effect on those in the community, as well as the main character’s relationships with her family and friends, are explored.

            There are many allusions to Inferno. The protagonist is a high school student called Trixie Stone – Trixie is a nick name, her full name is Beatrice, and it is stated in the text that she was named for Dante’s love and guide in Dante’s Inferno. Her mother is a professor at the local college, where she teaches a course on Dante, focusing primarily on Inferno.  The conception of Hell is paralleled in each character’s personal conflict, delving deeper into their characters and revealing each person’s individual sins and struggles. The novel frequently references the sins mentioned in Dante’s conception of hell, primarily adultery and violence.

            Each chapter of the novel is accompanied with a short comic, a continuing story that parallels the events in the novel. Daniel Stone, Trixie’s father and a comic book artist employed by Marvel, creates the comics as a form of therapy as he deals with the aftermath of his daughter being date raped. The comic story subsequently parallels the events that are happening in their lives. The comic follows the story of a man whose daughter is kidnapped by a monstrous creature, an allusion to Satan and dragged into Hell. The man follows her and meets his guide, Virgil, who guides him as he fights all the demons that accompany each level of Hell. The comic concludes with a confrontation with Satan himself, as the man battles his inner demons and fights for his daughter’s freedom. Each level is the same as the ones defined by Dante, though in many cases it is simplified. The title refers to the various circles of Hell – however, as elaborated by the novel, there is an additional circle of hell -betrayal of someone you’re close to – on a different level of treachery described in Inferno.  It is instead described as one where you see someone you love struggling, and you choose to look the other way. This theme is heavily explored throughout the novel, reflected in Trixie’s personal battles.

            This was one of my favorite books in high school, and inspired me to learn more about Dante and Inferno because I was highly interested in the background that inspired the story. Aside from the allusions to Inferno, it is a compelling read, well written, and deeply touching.