Dante's Drama of the Mind

Employing a modern perspective, the author offers a fresh interpretation of Dante's Purgatorio, drawing connections to influential twentieth-century thinkers like T. S. Eliot and Henry James. By sidestepping traditional Dante scholarship, Fergusson emphasizes the poem's dramatic structure and its relevance to contemporary issues such as history, psychology, ethics, and politics. He argues that understanding Purgatorio is essential for grasping broader cultural narratives, positioning his work as a vital guide to unlocking the canticle's significance for today's readers.