Catholicism in 8½ gives people a sense of escape, and that is why an individual’s trouble is never resolved. For example, in one of Guido’s flashback, he is a child who seeks answers but is given none. In another flashback, Guido is seen being punished by the Catholic church for meeting La Saraghina. After he was captured, young Guido was brought back and disciplined by a priest who looks identical to the dead priest we saw Guido looking at. This could imply that the church is outdated. When Guido goes to the steam bath, it seems as though he is descending into hell. The reason I say this is because of the long line of people waiting to get into the steam bath, while at the bottom of the stairs is a mediator monitoring the lines. In addition,