The Pilgrim’s Progress · Chapter
The First Part explained
Christian and Faithful discuss their trials, including the battle with Apollyon and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
What happens
Christian and Faithful discuss their trials, including the battle with Apollyon and the Valley of the Shadow of Death. They encounter Talkative, a man who speaks piously but lacks true faith. Christian later converses with Hopeful about his conversion, recounting his initial resistance to conviction and his eventual turn to religious duties. The chapter also includes Christian's meeting with Mr. Worldly Wiseman, who advises him to seek help from Mr. Legality in the village of Morality instead of following Evangelist's direction to the Wicket Gate.
Themes in this chapter
Temptation and Perseverance
Christian and Faithful recount their struggles with Shame and Apollyon, emphasizing the need to resist temptation and remain steadfast.
Faith and Doubt
Hopeful's conversion narrative illustrates the internal conflict between faith and doubt, as he initially resists conviction but later embraces religious duties.
Allegory and Symbolism
Characters like Talkative and Mr. Worldly Wiseman symbolize false piety and worldly wisdom, enriching the allegorical critique of superficial religion.
Characters to notice
- Christian
Narrates his battle with Apollyon and journey through the Valley of the Shadow of Death; engages in discourse with Faithful and Hopeful; meets Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
- Faithful
Shares his experience with Shame and his encounter with Talkative; discusses trials with Christian.
- Hopeful
Relates his conversion story, including his past sins and the process of conviction and repentance.
- Talkative
A tall man who appears comely at a distance; joins Faithful and Christian, professing love for godly discourse.
- Mr. Worldly Wiseman
Advises Christian to seek relief from his burden through Mr. Legality in the village of Morality, warning against Evangelist's path.
- Evangelist
Referenced as the one who directed Christian to the Wicket Gate; his counsel is criticized by Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
Key passages
“I think we must cry to Him for help against Shame, who would have us to be valiant for the truth upon the earth.”
Faithful suggests they should pray to God for strength to resist Shame, who tries to discourage them from being courageous in defending the truth.
Highlights the theme of perseverance and reliance on divine aid against social shame.
“I continued a great while in the delight of those things which were seen and sold at our fair; things which, I believe now, would have, had I continued in them still, drowned me in perdition and destruction.”
Hopeful admits he once enjoyed the worldly pleasures of Vanity Fair, which he now believes would have led to his eternal ruin if he had persisted.
Illustrates Hopeful's conversion and the danger of worldly temptations.
“Why, in yonder village—the village is named Morality—there dwells a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of a very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine are from their shoulders.”
Mr. Worldly Wiseman directs Christian to a village called Morality, where a man named Legality can supposedly remove his burden through human effort and legal observance.
Critiques reliance on legalism and moral works for salvation, a key Protestant theme.