The Pilgrim’s Progress: Part 1: Ignorance, Little-faith, and Flatterer Summary & Analysis

Below the Delectable Mountains, Christian and Hopeful enter a country called Conceit. Here they meet a young man named Ignorance who’s on his way to the Celestial City. Since Ignorance has no scroll to hand in at the Gate, the pilgrims ask him how he hopes to gain entrance. Ignorance explains that he lives a good life, gives alms, and pays his tithe, so he is confident he'll get in. When Christian argues that Ignorance can only be admitted to the Celestial City by way of the Wicket-gate, Ignorance replies that they should each follow the religions of their respective countries, and anyway, the Wicket-gate is far away from his home.

Christian and Hopeful see that Ignorance is “wise in his own conceit” and decide to walk along without him for now, giving him time to think over what they’ve discussed. Meanwhile, as they walk down a dark lane, they pass a bound man being led to Hell by devils, a sign on his back labeling him an “apostate.”

The sight of the damned man reminds Hopeful of a story. In the town of Sincere lived a good man named Little-faith. While going on pilgrimage to the Celestial City, Little-faith took a nap in a place called Dead Man’s Lane, frequented by murderers. Three robbers named Faintheart, Mistrust, and Guilt robbed Little-faith and knocked him unconscious. A champion named Great-grace chased the robbers away. It turned out that although the robbers got Little-faith’s spending-money, they didn’t get his most valuable jewels, or his certificate for the Celestial Gate. However, this was due to God’s grace, not Little-faith’s wisdom. And Little-faith was so discouraged by the robbery that, for the rest of his journey, he failed to take much comfort in his certificate.

Hopeful and Christian compare the plight of Little-faith with that of Esau, who sold his birth-right, or inheritance, for a bowl of stew. Christian explains that the difference between Little-faith and Esau is that, though Little-faith had small faith, he still had faith, unlike Esau; and he treasured his birth-right more than Esau did his. Little-faith still possessed a saving faith, which meant that he could not give up his inheritance for anything. Christian also defends Little-faith, saying that no one can judge the obstacles another faces, and that not all of Christ’s subjects are also champions; strength of faith varies.

Sometime later, Christian and Hopeful arrive at an intersection and aren’t sure which way to go. While they’re thinking about it, a dark, robed man approaches them and offers to lead them to the Celestial City. They follow him down the intersecting road, which gradually turns away from the City; eventually, he leads them into an entangling net, and they can’t free themselves. They know the dark man is the Flatterer the Shepherds had warned of. They also forgot to read the Shepherds’ directions.

After a while, a Shining One approaches them, holding a whip in his hand. After Christian and Hopeful explain their predicament, the Shining One releases them from the net, then whips them both to chastise them for failing to heed the Shepherds’ warnings and going astray from their path. Then he directs them on the right path. Thanking him, Christian and Hopeful humbly go on their way, singing.