Symbolism In The Pilgrim Progress

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The Pilgrim Progress is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan in 1678. In this story, John Bunyan used many different symbols to describe hidden meanings. Symbolism is the use of any certain special figures or marks of identification to signify a religious message, for example the cross refers to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. The author, John Bunyan, used symbolism to describe characters and places and give them a meaning behind it.
One of the symbols the author used was Mr. Worldly Wise. Mr. Worldly Wise is a practical and reasonable man, he gives good advices. He is not a villain or a bad character. In fact, he is a good and solid man that gives advices, which Christian desperately needed in the early of his journey. He thinks the village of Morality will be a good place for Christian, since he can bring his family and live in relative comfort, because he will have honest and well-behaved neighbors. Mr. Worldly Wise's urge for Christian was unsuccessful, because Christian is not supposed to settle for the good; he aims for the best. His moment of weakness is a sin because he nearly gives up his goal to reach the Celestial City, which is the Heaven. Village of Morality is comfortable, but it will never completely ease him of his burden, which is sin, in the way Celestial City will. …show more content…

It is the first obstacle in Christian's journey. This swamp is like a test for the amateur pilgrims. If they are carrying a burden of sin and guilt, this miry slough will try to suck down those who lacked courage or gave up the search for salvation as they approach the Savior. Christian's friend, Pliable, is fickle and easily influenced. His desertion in the Slough of Despond was an evidence of this. He left because he is unable to maintain his interest in searching for salvation. Ever since a long time ago, no one has been able to fix this place, and only those who desires to look for salvation can manage to cross