"Pilgrim's Progress"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the multi-faceted story "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. The paper explains that Bunyan wrote the story while he was in jail and claims it came to him a dream. The author of this paper neither accepts nor rejects that claim, however, he does show how the story itself is written in a dream-like manner. The paper examines "Pilgrim's Progress" from a variety angles, starting with its Christian-based metaphors and religious/spiritual message. Next, the paper critiques the story's characters, who, with names like Obstinate, Atheist, Prejudice, and Ill-Will, are also symbols for Bunyan's story of humanity and Christianity. The paper concludes that while the book is clearly imprinted by Bunyan's Puritan background and life in 17th century England, the modern reader can still appreciate this fantastical story.

From the Paper:

"The Pilgrim's Progress is written in the "similitude of a dream"; Bunyan recounts a dream in which he views the progress or journey of Christian (and later Christian's wife Christiana) from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, Christian passes through places bearing names like Vanity, Beulah, Doubting Castle, and Beautiful. He also encounters physical obstacles like the Slough of Despond, the Hill Difficulty, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and the river before the gate to the Celestial City. As the names suggest, the setting of The Pilgrim's Progress consists of places that represent different spiritual and mental states and temptations. The Hill Difficulty may appear as a real hill to be climbed on Christian's journey; just as surely it represents the spiritual obstacles that must be overcome if Christian is to make progress on his journey to the Celestial City. The keeper of the Doubting Castle, Giant Despair, may appear to be a fairy tale monster who keeps his captives under lock and key. He also represents the particular psychological condition one will fall prey to when one's faith begins to slip."

More papers on "Pilgrim's Progress":

• Analytical Essay # 121933 : "The Pilgrim's Progress"
• Book Review # 94971 : "Pilgrim's Progress"
• Analytical Essay # 10780 : "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan"

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