How does Twain’s use of dialect influence plot development and narration? What resources does it make available for the story’s setting and characterization? How does Twain use tangents to create humor? Refer to the transcript of “Scotty Briggs and the Clergyman” and reflect on the dialect. How do the misspellings and grammar mistakes affect the setting and characterization in the story?

Dante is standing at the mouth of hell with Virgil and he feels a great sense of dread and apprehension about continuing. Virgil then tells him that a women told him to find Dante and be his guide in hell, this lady was Beatrice. She came down from Heaven to tell Virgil of Dante's story and ask him to help Dante. Beatrice was Dante's true love (in real life and in the story) who died and is now counted among the blessed in Heaven. She had learned of Dante's plight from St. Lucia, also in Heaven, who in turn heard about the poor poet from the Virgin Mary. Beatrice symbolizes divine love and is sent by Mary and Lucia to help Dante by enlisting Virgil's help. Beatrice also knows that Dante will listen to Virgil if he knows that she has intervened and still loves him and that he is being watched over.