The Pilgrim’s Progress: Part 1: The Interpreter’s House Summary & Analysis

Directed by Good-will, Christian travels next to the Interpreter’s house, where he will be shown wonderful things to help him on his journey. The Interpreter welcomes him, and as Christian enters the house, he sees a picture on the wall of a somber-looking man holding a Bible and looking up to Heaven. The Interpreter explains that the man in the picture pleads with sinners, puts the world behind him, and looks forward to glory as his reward. Christian, he says, will meet many people on his journey, but only this man can guide him.

Next, the Interpreter leads Christian into a dusty parlor. When a man comes in to sweep the room, Christian is nearly choked by the flying dust. A girl comes in and sprinkles the room with water, after which it’s swept clean. The Interpreter explains that the room symbolizes a heart that has not been purified by the gospel; the dust symbolizes original sin and other sinful “corruptions.” The initial sweeping was done by the “Law,” and the latter sprinkling by the “Gospel.” As Christian has seen, the initial sweeping only revived the dust; it couldn’t cleanse the room.

Next the Interpreter shows Christian two children named Passion and Patience. Passion is discontent because his Governor wants him to wait until next year to have his treasures; Patience waits calmly for his own. Someone brings Passion a pile of treasures, and Passion, laughing at Patience, plays with them. But a little later, Passion dissolves into a pile of rags. The Interpreter explains that Passion symbolizes people of this world, while Patience symbolizes people who look for the world to come. Eventually, Patience will be given everlasting glory.

The Interpreter leads Christian into yet another room. There’s a fire burning against the wall, and as someone pours water on it, it only burns stronger. The Interpreter explains that the fire symbolizes grace’s work in the heart. When the devil throws water on it, trying to extinguish it, the fire burns higher. The Interpreter also points out a man behind the wall who’s secretly throwing oil on the fire. He explains that this symbolizes Christ, constantly maintaining the work of grace in the heart.

Next the Interpreter brings Christian to a beautiful palace with gold-clad people walking on the roof. At the door, a crowd of people is waiting; a man sits at the door with a book, taking people’s names. As people enter the palace, armed men try to hurt them. A stout man comes to the door, gives his name, and draws his sword against the armed men, hacking his way into the palace. The people on the roof sing a welcome to the valiant  man.

Christian is eager to get on his way, but the Interpreter wants to show him more. He takes Christian into a dark room, where they see a man in an iron cage, in despair. When Christian questions him, the caged man explains that he once claimed to be a Christian, and indeed thought he was, but now he’s a “man of Despair,” trapped and unable to get out. He explains that he became so hard-hearted in his sins, and so focused on earthly delights, that he is now unable to repent of his sins. The Interpreter tells Christian to take this sign as a warning.

Finally, the Interpreter takes Christian into a bedroom and shows him a final sign: a man getting out of bed, trembling. The man explains that he has just dreamed of the final judgment, when the blessed (those bound for Heaven) and the damned (those condemned to Hell) were divided from one another once and for all. The man dreamed that he was unprepared for the day of judgment and was not welcomed among the blessed.

The Interpreter asks Christian if he has considered everything he’s seen. Christian says that he has, and that these things have given him cause for both hope and fear. The Interpreter encourages him to keep all these things in mind to spur him on his way.