“Contrast is needed before there can be understanding, we can only achieve good through the ministry of evil (122 Soffio).” Dante's Inferno and St. Augustine's Confessions are both like the Bible, they both have good advice but are nothing more than someone's vision. Augustine manages to give the reader an up-close experience of his journey through life, just as Dante takes the reader with him on his journey through hell. Both of these works paint a vivid picture of man's expeditions in search of a deeper spiritual connection. They make the audience aware of the sin in their lives as well as others they surround themselves with. Themes common to both these authors are the punishment of sin and the search for self. (121 Shot).” In the first-person narrative of the Inferno, Dante is lost on a journey, he ventures off the path and gets lost in the dark woods, and sets off on a journey to find himself. Dante is given a guide, Virgil; Virgil takes Dante on a tour of hell, all nine circles of Hell. Dante and Virgil proceeded smoothly until they reached the sixth circle. Virgil attempts to open the gate but fails, so they were forced to wait for an angel to force the gates open. From the seventh circle to the end is finally where Dante is able to see the most aggressive sinners. As they proceed through all the stages Dante is scared and frightened. As they delve deeper into the fiery depths of Hell, Dante develops a sense of compassion and speaks of the sinners he encounters with pain and pity. When he hears the names of some sinners he feels compelled... middle of the paper... they have different experiences with sin and their path to Heaven, they share similar general goals in their excursions. Both of these inspiring works can open your mind to what a path to heaven can lead to. They equally describe conversion as a journey and provide answers through their characters' journey to those who pursue them. Augustine and Dante both recreate a conversion experience and make readers weary of the sin in their lives and the lives of those around them. Accumulation of wealth, successes in life and greed could be considered sins if they cause someone to lead a proud life and therefore should be avoided. Through their dramatic first-person narratives, both Dante's Inferno and Augustine's Confessions get their point across and help clarify doubts some might have in their pursuit of heavenly grace..