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Allegory
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Key Examples in The Pilgrim’s Progress
Part 1: Mr. Worldly Wiseman
Explanation and Analysis—Mount Sinai:
Soon after embarking on his pilgrimage, heading to the Wicket-gate at Evangelist's urging, Christian meets a man named Mr. Worldly Wiseman, who tells Christian to get his Burden removed by easier means—namely, by visiting a fellow named Legality. Worldly Wiseman's advice proves disastrous, however—en route, Christian becomes convinced that an overhanging mountain is going to fall and crush him—and an allusion to the biblical book of Galatians explains why. As Evangelist puts it,
He to whom thou was sent for ease, being by name Legality, is the Son of the Bond-woman which now is, and is in bondage with her children; and is in a mystery this Mount Sinai, which thou hast feared will fall on thy head.
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Part 1: Hill Difficulty and Palace Beautiful
Explanation and Analysis—Worthy Pilgrims:
After lodging in the Palace Beautiful for a night, Christian is preparing to set off toward the Celestial City again. To encourage him and strengthen him on his way, the Palace's residents read him accounts of past pilgrims, which allude heavily to the biblical Book of Hebrews:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Then they read to him some of the worthy Acts that some of [Christ's] servants had done: as, how they had subdued Kingdoms, wrought Righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of Lions, quenched the violence of Fire, escaped the edge of the Sword; out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens.
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Part 1: The Valley of the Shadow of Death
Explanation and Analysis—An Evil Report:
Just before entering the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Christian meets two men who are hurrying in the opposite direction—children of those who gave "an evil report of the good land." Men giving an "evil report" is an allusion to the Old Testament's book of Numbers. When Christian questions the men, they explain that they turned back from the Valley when they glimpsed its dangers:
Unlock with LitCharts A+CHR. But what have you seen? said Christian.
MEN. Seen! Why, the Valley itself, which is as dark as pitch; we also saw there the Hobgoblins, Satyrs, and Dragons of the Pit [...] Death also doth always spread his wings over it. In a word, it is every whit dreadful[.]
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Part 1: Beulah, the River of Death, and the Celestial City
Explanation and Analysis—Waves and Billows:
During the final stage of their journey to the Celestial City, when Christian and Hopeful begin to cross over the River of Death, Christian, sinking, alludes to a Psalm:
Unlock with LitCharts A+They then addressed themselves to the Water; and entring, Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, I sink in deep Waters; the Billows go over my head, all his Waves go over me[.]
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Part 2: At the Porter’s House
Explanation and Analysis—Prudence's Catechism:
During their stay at the Porter's House, Prudence asks Christiana's sons questions about their Christian beliefs, alluding to the common Protestant practice of catechizing children:
Unlock with LitCharts A+PRUDENCE. And she said, Come James, canst thou tell who made thee?
JAMES. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
PRUD. Good Boy. And canst thou tell me who saves thee?
JAMES. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
PRUD. Good Boy still. But how doth God the Father save thee?
JAMES. By his Grace.
PRUD. How doth God the Son save thee?
JAMES. By his Righteousness, Death, and Blood, and Life.
PRUD. And how doth God the Holy Ghost save thee?
JAMES. By his Illumination, by his Renovation, and by his Preservation.
Then said Prudence to Christiana, You are to be commended for thus bringing up your Children.
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Part 2: Matthew’s Illness
Explanation and Analysis—Gospel Pills:
Earlier in the novel, Christiana's son Matthew had eaten fruit that belonged to the devil. Later, when the group is staying at the Porter's House, Matthew gets a terrible stomachache from the fruit, so, in Bunyan's metaphor for salvation from sin, an old doctor named Mr. Skill makes Matthew a:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[purge] to the purpose, ’twas made Ex Carne & Sanguine Christi. (You know Physicians give strange Medicines to their Patients.) And it was made up into Pills [...]. Now he was to take them three at a time fasting, in half a quarter of a pint of the Tears of Repentance.
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Part 2: The Valley of Humiliation
Explanation and Analysis—Fishpools of Heshbon:
When the women journey through the Valley of Humiliation, Mercy has a much easier experience than many (like Christian, who had to literally fight his way through). Bunyan uses an allusion to the Bible's Song of Songs to illustrate how the Valley of Humiliation is a place of heartfelt contemplation for Mercy:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Then said Mercy, I think I am as well in this Valley as I have been anywhere else in all our Journey, the place methinks suits with my spirit. [...] Here one may think, and break at heart, and melt in one's spirit, until one's eyes become like the Fishpools of Heshbon.
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Part 2: At Gaius’s Inn
Explanation and Analysis—Ancient Christians:
When Christiana and her fellow travelers grow weary and stop to rest at Gaius's Inn, it turns out that Gaius knows of Christiana's late husband and his family. His greeting makes multiple allusions, including an allusion to the first Christians recorded in the Bible:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Then said Gaius, Is this Christian’s Wife? and are these Christian’s Children? I knew your Husband’s Father, yea, also his Father’s Father. Many have been good of this stock, their Ancestors dwelt first at Antioch.
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Part 2: Valiant-for-Truth
Explanation and Analysis—By Faith, Not By Sight:
When Christiana's group of pilgrims passes through the Enchanted Ground, Bunyan uses a biblical allusion to show that faith is indispensable to their journey:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Now they had not gone far, but a great Mist and a Darkness fell upon them all, so that they could scarce for a great while see the one [or] the other. Wherefore they were forced for some time to feel for one another by Words, for they walked not by Sight.
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