One theme of Poppy is courage, and to find courage in yourself and others. She finds the bravery to defend herself and her family from Ocax, and defeats him.
This occurs at the Exposition Stage of the story.
Jason is being told a key piece of information that will play a central role in the story. It introduces not only Jason and Mr. Manaby, but something that will drive future events, the 5:00 policy. The act of telling Jason is not yet Rising Action, however, because it only introduces the central elements of the story. The story has not yet begun to move towards its climax.
The detail from Dante's poem did Doré include is D. The Minotaur seeing Dante and Virgil