The Pilgrim’s Progress: Part 2: The Wicket-gate Summary & Analysis

Christiana arrives at the Slough of Despond and hesitates, worrying that the bog’s condition is even worse than before, but she, Mercy, and the boys succeed in crossing it, making their way to the Wicket-gate. (At this point, Mr. Sagacity leaves, and the narrator continues dreaming himself.) They decide that Christiana, as the oldest in the group, should knock first. At first, she is frightened by the sound of a fierce dog barking, but she finally perseveres in knocking until the Keeper of the Gate answers.

Christiana introduces herself and her group, and the Keeper welcomes her inside, including the children, adding, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” However, Mercy remains outside, weeping. Christiana intercedes for her friend, explaining that Mercy wishes to come in, but that nobody has sent for her. Meanwhile, Mercy grows impatient and knocks at the Gate herself. When the Keeper opens it, he sees that Mercy has fainted. He takes her by the hand and lifts her to her feet.

Mercy explains that she, like Christiana, has come to the Wicket-gate seeking forgiveness of her sins. The Keeper of the Gate gently guides Mercy inside, saying that all who believe in him are welcomed. He further assures Christiana and her boys that their sins are forgiven, and he takes them to the top of the Gate, from which they can see the Cross in the distance—a sight that will comfort them in their journey.

Christiana and Mercy sit in a parlor, rejoicing. Christiana admires the fervor of Mercy’s knocking. She also assures Mercy that the Keeper of the Gate was not disturbed by her knock and that he smiled when he heard it. However, they all agree that the dog is frightening, so when the Keeper returns, they ask  him about it. The Keeper explains that the dog is not his; it belongs to Beelzebub’s castle nearby. The dog has frightened many pilgrims away. But the Keeper always helps his pilgrims so that they won’t be deterred by the dog’s barking.

After the Keeper of the Gate has tended to them, the group continues on their way. They pass through a garden which, unknown to them, belongs to Beelzebub. Christiana’s boys see some delicious-looking fruits growing there and, ignoring their mother’s scolding, they eat some. At the time, they don’t know that these fruits belong to the devil.

After that, two Ill-Favored Ones come down the path toward the group. The Ill-Favored Ones begin trying to assault the women, who angrily kick them and cry for help. A Reliever comes from the nearby Gate-House to help them, and the Ill-Favored ones escape over the wall, where Beelzebub’s dog guards them. Reliever checks on the women and says he is surprised that they didn’t ask for a Conductor to guide them, seeing that they are “but weak Women”; the Lord would have happily granted them one.

Christiana admits that they were too distracted by their newfound blessings to ask for a Conductor, and besides, she didn’t expect evildoers to be lurking so near the Wicket-gate. And if it was so important for them to have a guide, why didn’t the Lord just give them one? Reliever says that the women now have a greater appreciation for their folly, so God is bringing benefit out of the situation. God also wants to be asked for the things the pilgrims need. He promises to secure a Conductor for them and leaves.

Mercy laments that she’d foolishly believed they were past all danger. Christiana takes the blame, saying she should have shown greater foresight. She explains that before leaving on pilgrimage, she’d dreamed of being attacked by two such men. Mercy comforts Christiana by pointing out that their error has given an opportunity for God to show them his grace once again.