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Get every literary device explanation for The Pilgrim’s ProgressPlus so much more...
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Motif
Explanation and Analysis—Hospitality:
Hospitality is a motif throughout Pilgrim's Progress. Especially during the women's pilgrimage in Part 2, Bunyan uses this motif to show the importance of hospitality for spiritual, not just bodily, rest and nourishment. Over the course of the book, Bunyan emphasizes hospitality's role in deepening relationships among pilgrims.
Christiana, her sons, and Mercy don't just spend the night at the Porter's Lodge; they're invited to stay for a whole month. Prudence, who lives at the Lodge, uses this time to quiz Christiana's sons on their catechism to see how well they know Christian teachings, and it also gives Matthew the chance to seek healing for his illness and be purged of the fruit he'd sinfully eaten earlier. Though their visit includes physical rest and nourishment, it serves more as a chance for spiritual nourishment—a chance to more fully take in and benefit from the Christian lessons they've been learning along the way.
Later, the group stops to rest for a month at Gaius's inn. The name Gaius is itself an allusion to a Christian disciple in the book of Romans, a "host [...] of the whole church." In other words, the biblical Gaius was hospitable to all Christians who crossed his path, and the same is true of Bunyan's Gaius. Gaius's hospitality is expressed partly through advice—he encourages Christiana to seek good Christian wives for her sons so that her lineage can continue to flourish, and he specifically urges Matthew and Mercy to get married, which they do. He shares a Bible-themed feast with his guests, nourishing not just their bodies but their souls (for example, the wine represents the "true Vine," Christ). Gaius's care for the pilgrims suggests that hospitality isn't just a matter of being friendly and feeding people, but taking an interest in their long-term good. The group also dwells for a long time in the home of a fellow Christian named Mr. Mnason (also a reference to a kindly host in the book of Acts).
Even though Christian enjoys plenty of hospitality throughout his own pilgrimage, Bunyan seems to emphasize hospitality more strongly throughout the women's pilgrimage. While Christian's visits focus on equipping him for the next stage of his journey, hospitality in Part 2 of Pilgrim's Progress is more expansive—both in the length of visits and in its role in strengthening pilgrims' relationships, through shared fellowship and even marriage.
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