Dan Brown discussion

HELP!! Don't understand the poem this book is based of??

It's based off of an epic poem by Dante called Inferno. It describes the character's "tour" of Hell. The description is still used today. Inferno was part of a trilogy of epic poems known as The Divine Comedy, which describes a tour of Hell, followed by Purgatory, followed by Heaven. Dante describes Hell as an inverted mountain, with different layers and punishments based on your sin. Purgatory is described as a mountain, with a similar quality, except your being given a second chance to repent. Heaven is described as being similar to the solar system. He starts where Pluto would be and gets to the sun, G-d.