The Pilgrim's Progress

Although it was the place where Christian fought with Apollyon, Bunyan now complicates the allegorical significance of the Valley of Humiliation. As Mr. Great-heart explains, it was Christian’s prior slips along the way—e.g., the moment when he lost his document—that made the valley so perilous for him. In fact, Apollyon taunted Christian with these failings during their battle. Bunyan at one point calls the “Valley of Humiliation” the “Valley of Humility,” implying that the place forces travelers to humble themselves. This is not without its own dangers, as confronting one’s sins can lead not to humility but to apathy or despair; Apollyon attempts to turn Christian aside from his path by reminding him of all the sinful things he has already done. Nevertheless, humility is key to Christian life, so the valley features “very fruitful Soil, and doth bring forth by handfuls” (414). The solitude of life within the Valley of Humiliation, which the shepherd boy praises, touches on the theme of Alienation and Antagonism Versus Self-Awareness and Community. In their isolation, pilgrims come to know themselves. This can result in new trials (as it does for Christian), but it can also prepare one for divine revelations; as the boy explains, some travelers have encountered angels in the Valley.

The return to the Valley of the Shadow of Death brings with it a return of James’s sickness, symbolizing his wobbling faith. Christiana gives him a universal pill to make him feel better—symbolically, to fortify his belief in God. Mr. Great-heart continues to represent traditional masculine virtues, scaring a lion and battling the giant who kidnaps people, but not all pilgrims need be so courageous. Mr. Honest leads to a discussion of Mr. Fearing, who symbolizes extreme fear. Mr. Great-heart has heard about Mr. Fearing and his conduct at the Wicket Gate. He says, “There the poor man would stand shaking and shrinking; I dare say it would have pitied ones Heart to have seen him: Nor would he go back again” (910). Mr. Fearing shows that a person can be deeply scared yet remain faithful to God.

Mr. Selfwil’s character illustrates how people can manipulate the Bible to justify bad behavior; his name suggests that he is imposing his own will on the Bible rather than allowing it to guide him. He justifies his affairs with married women with reference to David and marries multiple women, citing Solomon. Mr. Great-heart summarizes Mr. Selfwil’s twisted philosophy when he says, “[T]is possible for the best to be guilty of the Vices, as well as to partake of the Virtues of Pilgrims, he could not much a been blamed” (927).

Gaius’s discussion of Christian’s “ancestors” demonstrates the illustrious heritage of even the ordinary believer. Imagery helps Bunyan provide a graphic representation of the tortures various Christian martyrs suffered for God. Stephen, who Gaius notes was among the “first” of Christian’s line, was stoned to death and is often regarded as the first Christian martyr. Gaius concludes, “Twould be impossible, utterly to count up all of that Family that have suffered Injuries and Death, for the love of a Pilgrims Life” (940-41).

The marriage of Mercie and Mathew teaches readers that a good marriage depends upon shared faith and that sex is for procreation—a traditional, rigid view of gender roles and sexuality. Mercie and Mathew will make a fine husband and wife because they believe in God and Jesus. They will also “preserve [Christian’s] posterity in the Earth” by having children (943). Gaius presents a more nuanced view on gender when he explains the matchless devotion women showed toward Christ. Although women have a definite role in Bunyan’s understanding of Christianity, it is an exalted one.

The riddles Gaius poses help Bunyan teach the reader about Christian customs in a new form. Sticking to his promise to keep the story transparent, Bunyan’s characters reveal the answers to the riddles, so the reader doesn’t have to search for answers on their own. Gaius also gives Mr. Great-heart another opportunity to showcase his heroism and masculinity by asking him to battle Slaygood.

Other figures are less obviously virtuous but nevertheless able to seek salvation. Mr. Feeble-mind and Mr. Ready-both join the group of pilgrims, revealing that weaknesses don’t prevent a person from receiving God’s mercy. Bunyan similarly tweaks the symbolism of Vanity by making it “more moderate” (989). Vanity’s less antagonistic attitude towards the new pilgrims suggests that Faithful’s faith rubbed off on the town’s wayward citizens. The pilgrims stay at an ally’s house in Vanity, showing that a good Christian doesn’t necessarily have to have a Christian environment.

The destruction of Doubting Castle and its master further develops the motif of gender. Mr. Great-heart, Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr. Dare-not-ly, Mr. Penitent, and Christiana’s sons demonstrate their heroism and masculinity by defeating the monster. Mr. Feeble-mind and Mr. Ready-to-hault are too flawed to join in and remain behind with the women and children. Mercie’s weakness for the mirror ties to gender and tropes about pregnant women—she’s “a breeding Woman” (1029)—and the peculiar cravings they allegedly get. Then again, it makes sense the devoted Mercie would want a mirror that displays Christ. Mr. Stand-fast’s confrontation with Madam Bubble also serves the motif of gender. Some of her sins, like a love of food and objects, apply to all genders. Other sins seem specifically female: “She is a bold and impudent Slut; She will talk with any Man” (1072). Though Christianity theoretically expects chastity of men as well as women, many Christian societies have in practiced punished the latter more severely for sexual “transgressions.”

Bunyan sends Christiana off to heaven with less fanfare than Christian. He already described crossing the waters and the atmosphere of heaven in Part 1, so he doesn’t feel the need to repeat himself. However, through Mercie, Mathew, and the other brothers and their wives, Bunyan suggests how a pilgrim can do good on Earth before their journey is “complete.”