English 233:  Introduction to Western Humanities -- Baroque & Enlightenment

Study Guide to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

Reading Two

Reading Two (pp. 14-32):  up through Christian's adventures in the Valley of the Shadow of Death (pp. 32-54).

(a) Work through the chronology of Bunyan's life (pp. xxvix-xxxii)

(b) Read the narrative from Christian's escape from the Slough of Despond to his encounter with Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, sleeping in fetters "a little out of the way" (pp. 14-32).

Questions on the Bunyan's life

•  What were the burning controversies of Bunyan's day? 

• What personal crises did Bunyan undergo in the course of his life? 

• Under what conditions did TPP come to be written? 

• What facts demonstrate Bunyan's considerable personal conviction and courage?

• What facts in his life may have led him to see the Hand of Providence at work in his own personal case?

Questions on the reading from The Pilgrim's Progress 

• What values and assumptions characterize Mr. Worldly-Wiseman?  Some clues:

• What does he advise Christian to do? 

• What happens when Christian tries to follow it? 

• What does he learn from Evangelist about what was wrong with Mr. Worldly-Wiseman's advice?  (Can you put this in your own words -- i.e., craft an accurate and informative paraphrase?)

• How does Christian meet Good Will? 
  • What does the latter want to know from him? 

• How does Christian meet Interpreter? 
  • What does your editor, in the notes (p. 268) suggest that this figure may stand for?
  • What various things does Interpreter show him, and what does Christian learn from each demonstration? 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(6)

 

(7)

• When does the burden fall from Christian's back?   

Drawing connections:  What is the point of this fact of the story?

What 3 things does he receive immediately afterwards from 3 "shining ones"?  (Don't forget to consult the notes.)