Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Pilgrim’s Progress, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ
The World vs. Christianity
Obstacles on the Journey
The Centrality of the Bible
Women as Pilgrims
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.
The Interpreter’s House is a waypoint where Christian will receive instruction regarding the struggles that characterize a Christian’s life. The picture of the man with the Bible is meant to teach Christian whom to trust during his journey. Christian will meet many people on his way to the Celestial City, some of whom will try to advise him, but only those who reject the world and follow the Bible are trustworthy guides.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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.
This room illustrates the contrast between the law and the gospel. A person’s inborn (“original”) and ongoing sin must be cleansed from the heart. However, in a person who is not yet converted, the law (the Bible’s moral teachings) only tends to increase sin and strengthen its power. It can’t subdue sin’s power or cleanse it from the soul. Only the gospel—the proclamation that Christ has atoned for sinners—can do that.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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.
Passion and Patience symbolize contrasting attitudes toward the world. Passion gets everything he desires in this world and therefore seems to be happier than Patience; however, he ends up being destroyed. Patience, on the other hand, may not get his desires in this world, but he will be given everlasting life in the end.
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
Test Yourself
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.
This room illustrates the dynamics of a Christian’s spiritual growth. Though the devil keeps trying to smother a Christian’s growth, Christ continually pours grace into the heart which is much more powerful. The man’s position behind a wall suggests that a Christian undergoing temptation by the devil can’t necessarily see how they’re being sustained in the midst of their struggles, yet Christ’s presence is nevertheless real.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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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.
This scene symbolizes how those who seek Heaven are constantly susceptible to attack by the devil but that, like the valiant man in this passage, they must be alert, brave, and armed to resist the devil at all times.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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.
The despairing, caged man might have been inspired by Bunyan’s time in prison. Here, though, the man symbolizes a condemned soul who became hardened, or spiritually resistant, because of his constant indulgence of his sin. In Bunyan’s view, someone who constantly resists God’s grace reaches a point where they are no longer receptive to it.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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 final sign reminds Christian of the belief that, at the end of time, the righteous will be separated from the wicked once and for all. This day of judgment could come at any time, so a Christian is supposed to be watchful for it. The dreaming man has presumptuously neglected this duty and risks being caught off guard by its sudden arrival.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
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.
Bunyan uses Christian’s lessons at the Interpreter’s House to remind his audience of key Christian teachings regarding the gospel, temptation, spiritual growth, resisting the devil, and the final judgment—concepts he viewed as practical for everyday life.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
