Analysis of The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

Analysis of The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress is an allegorical story about the Christian religion. It allegorizes the journey of a Christian into "the Celestial City, which represents heaven. Although Pilgrim's Progress may seem simple and straightforward, there are many deeper meanings throughout the whole story. Bunyan uses the names of his characters to signify whom the character represents in the story, for example, the character Hopeful represents hopefulness, Help represents people who are willing to help others in need of assistance, Faithful represents people who are faithful to whatever they are associated with, and the main character, Christian, represents all young Christians in the world. His journey to the Celestial City is a journey every Christian must face in their lifetime before allowed into heaven. Within his journey there are many obstacles such as temptations both tangible and intangible for instance, the merchandises sold at Vanity Fair and the shortcuts offered, illustrate temptations real Christians must face and overcome; finding an easy way into heaven, and being thrown off course by material things. The character Christian overcomes many obstacles before reaching his destination, the Celestial City. But during his journey he does not face all these obstacles alone. He meets a variety of people all through his journey to the Celestial City; some of these people mock his traveling to the Celestial City, some decide to follow him, and some help him along his way. Christian meets Faithful who decides to join him on his travels. Faithful is a character that faces many difficulties on his own journey to the Celestial City; his journey has many diff...

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..., then they lanced his flesh with knives; after that they stoned him with stones, then pricked him with their swords; and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake" (86). Faithful's death and Jesus's death on the cross are both horrific ways to die.

Faithful and Jesus Chris are comparable in the actions and events in their life. They both had to deal with many obstacles, and eventually paid the ultimate price, death, before entering into heaven. Their faith is an example for all Christians in the world to follow. Do not be afraid to share religion no matter what consequences will come. The small prices that one must pay before reaching their end is small compared to the benefits one receive when he reaches his destination. Both Jesus and Faithful ascend into heaven and receive eternal life after their deaths; the final destination for all Christians.