Summary
The Pilgrim's Progress is one of the most influential Christian allegories ever written. First published in 1678, this classic work by English author John Bunyan tells the story of Christian, an everyman character on a journey from the City of Destruction (representing the mortal world of sin and suffering) to the Celestial City (Heaven). Along the way, this determined pilgrim encounters various characters and obstacles that represent the challenges and temptations commonly faced by Christians in their spiritual lives.
Bunyan wrote much of The Pilgrim's Progress while imprisoned for holding religious services outside the auspices of the established Church of England. Despite its Protestant theology and anti-Catholic sentiment, the book became hugely popular across Christian denominations. The story's vivid allegorical characters and places, like the Slough of Despond and Vanity Fair, have become part of the cultural lexicon. Bunyan’s work has been translated into more than 200 languages and has never gone out of print.
Plot
The Pilgrim's Progress begins with a man named Christian living in the City of Destruction. After reading a book (the Bible), he becomes distressed by his sinful condition and decides to seek salvation. An evangelist directs him to follow a path to the Wicket Gate, leading to the entrance to the Celestial City (Heaven). Christian's family refuses to join him, so he sets out alone on his journey.
Along the way, Christian encounters many obstacles and temptations. He falls into the Slough of Despond but is rescued. He is tempted to seek an easier path by Mr. Worldly Wiseman but is set back on track by Evangelist. After passing through the Wicket Gate, Christian visits the House of the Interpreter where he learns important spiritual lessons. At the foot of a hill, he loses his burden of sin at the sight of Christ's cross.
Christian continues his journey, overcoming more challenges. He battles the demon Apollyon, passes through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and is joined by a fellow pilgrim named Faithful. They travel through Vanity Fair, where Faithful is executed for his faith. Christian escapes and is joined by Hopeful. The two are later imprisoned in Doubting Castle by the Giant Despair but manage to escape using a key called Promise.
Finally, Christian and Hopeful reach the Delectable Mountains, where they catch a glimpse of the Celestial City. After passing through the Enchanted Ground and the pleasant Land of Beulah, they arrive at the River of Death which they must cross to reach the Celestial City. Christian struggles in crossing but is helped by Hopeful. Having completed their pilgrimage, they are welcomed into the Celestial City with great joy and celebration.
Themes
Journey as a metaphor for spiritual growth
Perseverance through trials and temptations
Faith as essential for salvation
Dangers of worldly distractions and pleasures
The importance of fellowship and companionship
Contrast between heaven and hell
The role of personal responsibility in one's spiritual life
Setting
John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress takes place in a vivid allegorical landscape that represents the spiritual journey of a Christian believer. The story begins in the City of Destruction, which symbolizes the sinful world, and follows the protagonist Christian as he travels toward the Celestial City, representing Heaven. Along the way, Christian encounters various environments that test his faith, including the Slough of Despond, Vanity Fair, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
While the exact era is not specified, the book reflects the religious and cultural context of 17th-century Protestant England, when it was written. John Bunyan composed much of the work while imprisoned for holding religious services outside the Church of England. The allegorical setting allows the author to critique aspects of English society and religious practices of his time, particularly those he saw as corrupt or misguided.
Geographically, the story takes place in an imaginary landscape filled with symbolic places and obstacles. However, some locations may have been inspired by real places Bunyan knew in Bedfordshire, England. The journey spans from the earthly realm to the heavenly, passing through cities, valleys, mountains, and rivers that represent different spiritual states and challenges. This fantastical yet familiar setting allows readers to envision the abstract concepts of faith as a physical pilgrimage.
Characters
Christian: The protagonist. Christian is an everyman figure who embarks on a spiritual journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, facing many trials and temptations along the way. His quest represents the journey of a Christian seeking salvation. Christian must overcome doubt, temptation, and persecution as he strives to stay on the narrow path to Heaven. His faith is tested repeatedly, but he perseveres with the help of companions and spiritual guides he meets on his journey.
Evangelist: A spiritual guide who first directs Christian to the Wicket Gate at the beginning of his journey. Evangelist represents preachers and teachers who help guide Christians on the path to salvation.
Obstinate: A resident of the City of Destruction who tries to convince Christian to abandon his journey. He represents those who stubbornly refuse to heed spiritual guidance.
Pliable: Another resident who initially accompanies Christian but quickly turns back when faced with difficulties. He symbolizes those whose faith is weak and easily swayed.
Help: A character who rescues Christian from the Slough of Despond. He represents divine assistance given to those who struggle on their spiritual journey.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman: A character who tries to persuade Christian to take an easier path, avoiding the difficulties of the true spiritual journey. He embodies worldly wisdom that conflicts with genuine faith.
Goodwill: The keeper of the Wicket Gate, who welcomes pilgrims onto the true path. He represents Christ welcoming believers into the Christian faith.
Interpreter: A wise guide who shows Christian many allegorical scenes to teach spiritual lessons. He symbolizes the Holy Spirit providing insight and understanding to believers.
Faithful: A fellow pilgrim who joins Christian on his journey. Faithful is eventually martyred for his faith in Vanity Fair. He represents steadfast believers who remain true to their faith even in the face of persecution.
Hopeful: Another pilgrim who becomes Christian's companion after Faithful's death. Hopeful embodies the virtue of hope that sustains believers through difficult times.
Giant Despair: The owner of Doubting Castle who imprisons Christian and Hopeful. He represents the despair that can overwhelm believers who stray from the right path.
Ignorance: A character who tries to enter Heaven without going through the Wicket Gate. He symbolizes those who believe they can achieve salvation through their own efforts rather than through faith in Christ.
Quick facts
The Pilgrim’s Progress was written in 1678 while John Bunyan was imprisoned for violating laws against preaching outside the sanctioned Church of England practices.
It is considered the first novel written in English.
The Pilgrim’s Progress has never been out of print and has been translated into more than 200 languages.
It is the second bestselling book of all time, after the Bible.
The character Christian was originally named Graceless before his spiritual transformation.
Many of the place names in the book are allegorical, like the Slough of Despond and Vanity Fair.
The Pilgrim’s Progress inspired the term “muckraker” to describe investigative journalists.
C.S. Lewis wrote a partial modern adaptation called The Pilgrim's Regress.
The hymn “To Be a Pilgrim” is based on a passage from the book.
Over the centuries, The Pilgrim’s Progress has been adapted into films, plays, and even a video game.
One of the most famous adaptations is the 1951 opera by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, which premiered at the Royal Opera House in London.
About the Author
John Bunyan (1628-1688) was an English writer and Puritan preacher best known for his Christian allegory The Pilgrim's Progress. Born to a poor family in Elstow, Bedfordshire, Bunyan had little formal education and worked as a tinker like his father. He served in the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War before becoming deeply interested in religion and joining a nonconformist church in Bedford.
Bunyan began preaching and writing religious works, but his activities as a nonconformist minister led to his arrest in 1660. He spent 12 years in prison for refusing to stop preaching outside the established Church of England. During this time, Bunyan wrote his spiritual autobiography Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and began working on The Pilgrim's Progress.
After his release in 1672, Bunyan continued preaching and writing prolifically. The Pilgrim's Progress was published in 1678 and became an immediate success. Bunyan produced numerous other works including The Life and Death of Mr. Badman and The Holy War. His vivid, accessible prose style and use of colloquial dialogue helped make his writings popular with common people.
Bunyan's influence has been far-reaching. The Pilgrim's Progress became one of the most widely read books in the English language, with over 1,300 editions printed by 1938. Authors influenced by Bunyan include C.S. Lewis, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mark Twain. Today, Bunyan is remembered as a pioneering English novelist and an important figure in the development of the spiritual autobiography and allegory genres.
