The wicket-gate symbolizes Jesus Christ as the savior of sinners. When Christian desires freedom from his burden—itself symbolic of his sin—Evangelist instructs him to flee to the Wicket-gate, declaring that it’s the only place where Christian will find salvation. Indeed, when Christian knocks at the gate and introduces himself as a needy sinner, he is warmly welcomed without condition. But self-proclaimed pilgrims who try to bypass the Wicket-gate, like Ignorance, are ultimately rejected at the Gate of the Celestial City, or Heaven. This illustrates Bunyan’s belief that Christ and the salvation he offers sinners is indeed the only way to Heaven; sinners who claim other saviors (including their own inherent goodness) will discover that they have been deceived. By making the pilgrims journey through the Wicket-gate, then, and not allowing for other workarounds, Bunyan upholds Christ as the only one able to redeem people from the sin that bars them from Paradise.
Wicket-gate Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress
Then [Evangelist] gave him a Parchment-roll, and there was written within, Fly from the wrath to come.
The Man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder Wicket-gate? The Man said, No. Then said the other, Do you see yonder shining Light? He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that Light in your eye, and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the Gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.
I know my Lord’s will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I Pray, Fast, pay Tithes, and give Alms […] Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me, I know you not; be content to follow the Religion of your Country, and I will follow the Religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the Gate that you talk of, all the world knows that that is a great way off of our Country.
Wicket-gate Symbol Timeline in The Pilgrim’s Progress
