"The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan : Critical Overview

"Then I saw in my dream, that when they were got out of the wilderness, they presently saw a town before them, and the name of that town is Vanity; and at the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair; it is kept all the year long; it beareth the name of Vanity Fair because the town where it is kept is lighter than vanity; and also because all that is there sold, or that cometh thither, is vanity. As is the saying of the wise, “All that cometh is vanity” (Ecclesiastes i. 2, 14; ii. 11, 17; xi. 8; Isaiah xl. 17)."

The Pilgrim’s Progress

by John Bunyan (1628-88)

 John Bunyan, a Puritan preacher who was not formally educated, wrote "The Pilgrim's Progress" while he was imprisoned in 1675 for his religious practices as a Nonconformist. The book, which compares life to a journey and is written in a simple, biblical style, has become a renowned spiritual allegory in the English language. "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan is an innovative work too that draws upon both past and future literary traditions. "The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come" as the full title goes is a story that symbolizes the journey of a soul seeking salvation (the first part was published in 1678 and the second part in 1684). John Bunyan, the author, saw ten versions of his masterpiece printed in his lifetime, and it eventually became the second most read book in the English language after the Bible. 

 John Bunyan

This is a powerful story that uses metaphor to explore the fundamental truths of human existence: life, death, and religion. Although it has since become a classic of literature, it was originally only popular among those in the working class, such as artisans, merchants, and the impoverished. Despite the rich and vivid characters, the story had a slow start before it eventually gained widespread recognition. Many English writers were influenced by this book's design. The use of allegory and homily, which were popular in the Middle Ages and in Bunyan's own time, respectively, are prominent features of the text. Bunyan also incorporates techniques that would later be utilized by English novelists like Daniel Defoe and Charles Dickens, including satire, domestic humor, and caricature. The diverse cast of allegorical characters are portrayed with a focus on a single quality that brings them to life, much like the humorous and eccentric characters in later 18th and 19th century fiction.

While "The Pilgrim's Progress" contains elements of fairy tales and romance, the crux of the work lies in the dialogues between Christian and Christiana, wife of Christian . These conversations are unique among prose narratives of Bunyan's day in their natural, conversational tone. Most of these discussions serve a didactic purpose, with characters exploring religious doctrine and the spiritual significance of everyday experiences.

However, not all dialogues are straightforwardly instructive. Christian and his family may be open to enlightenment, but others resist it. Many of the conversations represent debates between two different viewpoints, with neither side able to truly hear or accept the other. For instance, Christian argues with Formalist and Hypocrisy about the role of custom in determining the legitimacy of certain practices. While Christian distrusts custom as a standard, Formalist and Hypocrisy contend that something that has been done for centuries will be considered legal by an impartial judge. The wisdom of their opposing views is exemplified when Formalist and Hypocrisy wander off into the dangerous bypaths while Christian forges ahead on the Hill Difficulty. This episode effectively combines the literary qualities of "The Pilgrim's Progress": the dialogue is easy and natural, the characters are allegorical, and the overall effect is instructive. Ultimately, the reader is meant to apply the lessons of the text to their own lives, much as they would the teachings of a sermon.

Ardhendu De

References

1. John Bunyan - Wikipedia. (2021, March 27). John Bunyan - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bunyan

2. Batson, S., & Bunyan, J. (1988, September 1). The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.