The novel The Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan, is the topic of today’s conversation. First, we will have a little discussion about the novel’s author.
John Bunyan, an English author and Puritan preacher, wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, a Christian allegory that also functioned as a significant literary influence. In addition to The Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan wrote around sixty volumes, many of which were lengthy sermons.
Bunyan was born and raised in Elstow, a neighboring community. Before joining the Parliamentary Army at sixteen during the first phase of the English Civil War, he had some formal education.
He served in the army for three years before returning to Elstow to begin the tinkering trade his father taught him. Following his marriage, he became interested in religion, first visiting the local church before joining Bedford Meeting, a nonconformist organization, and finally preaching.
On August 30, the Church of England will hold a Lesser Festival in Bunyan’s honor. A few Anglican Communion congregations, including the Anglican Church of Australia, paid tribute to him on the day of his death.
Now, We’ll Discuss the Novel’s Publication Date and Its Main Themes
The Pilgrim’s Progress is a religious allegory written by English author John Bunyan that was published in two parts in 1678 and 1684. The piece is a metaphor for the virtuous man’s life path.
The Pilgrim’s Progress, the most well-known Christian allegory still in print, was once second only to the Bible in popularity.
It was first printed during the reign of Charles II and was primarily written by its Puritan author while incarcerated for breaching the Conventicle Act of 1593. (which made it illegal to hold religious services beyond the jurisdiction of the Church of England).
Summary
Part I is Portrayed as the Author’s Fantasy of Christian’s Tribulations and Adventures
Initially published in 1678, the first portion depicts the author’s dream about Christian, a character meant to represent the average human, as he travels from his home in the City of Destruction to the Celestial City.
Christian feels a horrible load after reading a book, the weight of his misdeeds, and he tries to get rid of it (ostensibly the Bible).
He is directed to a wicket-gate by the Evangelist, leaving his family behind before entering. He is dragged down by his burden and falls into the Slough of Despair, but Help comes to his rescue.
Christian then meets Mr. Worldly Wiseman, who persuades him to disregard the Evangelist’s advice and instead travel to Morality to find Mr. Legality or his son Civility.
But as Christian’s weight grows heavier, he comes to a halt. The Evangelist reappears and sends him back to the wicket-gate.
Christian’s burden is lifted as he continues on his journey after encountering a cross and a grave. Three Shining Ones give him a sealed scroll he must present at the Celestial Gate. The gatekeeper, Goodwill, lets him in and takes him to the Interpreter’s house, where he learns about Christian grace.
When he reaches the Hill Difficulty, Christian continues and chooses the straight and narrow road. He comes to a halt halfway up the mountain and falls asleep in an arbor, letting the scroll slip from his fingers.
When he wakes up, he climbs the hill but realizes he must return to the arbor to retrieve his lost scroll. When he arrives at the palace Beautiful, he will be greeted by the damsel’s Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Charity. They are Christian, and he notices Faithful, a former neighbor is moving ahead of him.
Christian will face the monster Apollyon as he travels through the Valley of Humiliation. The terrifying Valley of the Shadow of Death then follows. Soon after, he catches up with Faithful.
Pilgrims traveling to the Celestial City pass via the village of Vanity, which is home to the ancient Vanity Fair. They are arrested for raising a commotion with their unusual clothes and lack of interest in the fair’s offerings.
Faithful is taken before Lord Hate-good, sentenced to death, and executed. Christian is brought back to prison, but he eventually escapes. After that, he is transported to the Celestial City.
Hopeful, inspired by Faithful, follows Christian as he leaves Vanity. Christian and Hopeful, crossing the Plain of Ease in hope, refuse to succumb to the allure of a silver mine. Following Christian’s advice, the two hikers choose a more accessible route across By-path Meadow as the terrain becomes more difficult later.
But when they get lost and are caught in a storm, Christian realizes he has misled them. They walk the grounds of Doubting Castle, attempting to return home when they are seized by the Giant Despair, taken captive, and beaten.
Christian and Hopeful are welcomed into the Celestial City after presenting their scrolls and successfully crossing a river as a test of faith. They arrive in the Delectable Mountains, just beyond the Celestial City, but because they followed Flatterer, they require the assistance of a Shining One to save them. Finally, Christian recalls that he and Hopeful might open the doors and go using a key they both call Promise.
Part II follows Christian’s Wife, Sons, and Neighbour to the Celestial City (1684)
In Part II, Christian’s wife Christiana, their sons, and their neighbor Mercy attempt to accompany him to the Celestial City (1684).
The psychological intensity is lowered in this portion, making it easier to see one’s sense of humor and capacity to make appropriate assessments.
Mercy, her family, and their companions, including Mrs. Much-Afraid and Mr. Ready-to-Stop, can complete the journey with the Help of their leader Great-heart, who defeats different giants and monsters along the way.
Christian meets people who, with Help, grow into people deserving of redemption, as opposed to the vast majority of those he meets who exhibit wrong thinking that will lead to damnation. Christiana’s sons and the wives they married on their way to the Celestial City remain behind to assist future travelers.
I’m confident that after reading this, you’ll want to read the whole book. If interested, you may read the book by Clicking here- The Pilgrim’s Progress.
The Pilgrim’s Progress Legacy
Puritan conversion narratives predate the book, including John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (1563), emblem books and chapbooks from the Renaissance, and Bunyan’s work, Grace Abounding (1666).
The Pilgrim’s Progress has some of the features of a folktale, and it foreshadows the 18th-century novel in its humor and realistic representations of minor characters.
It is written in simple but dignified biblical English. Due to its enormous popularity, the book passed through multiple editions within a few years of its first release. It remained popular for the next two centuries and was translated into nearly 200 languages. One of the famous adaptations was Ralph Vaughan Williams’ 1951 opera.