The Pilgrim’s Progress

If there is ane book that tops the list of most translated books, astonishingly even much than the give-and-take, it is The Pilgrims procession by John Bunyan, a famous religious writer in the incline language. Bunyan is said to brace a minimal proper education and a modest background, credibly the reason for his simple, narrative, allegorical English writing style. It is all overly assumed that his training of the English language whitethorn comport come from his tuitions of the Bible since almost busts of his book be being comp ared to the latter. He is regarded as a religious man who was put in jail for p transcending without decent obtaining a license for such act.It was during his second time of imprisonment that the book, The Pilgrims Progress, materialized. The complete title of his book is The Pilgrims Progress from this World to that which is to come. The first-class honours degree digress was published in 1678 and the second share was in 1684. The first part of write up is about a man named Christian who leaves his home upon interlingual rendition in the book that he is holding that his house will tan down, entirely his family thinks he has g wholeness(a) mad. A man named Evangelist preferably advised him to start his journey, passing from one mysterious place to otherwise in search of redemption in the Celestial City.The second part engages his wife, the inspired Christiana, and their children following the same journey that he takes. The Pilgrims Progress is an intense Christian writing that has influenced generations, and devising it as one of the Christian books in English widely aver by both the recent and adult subscribers, particularly for Christians who are taking the journey to chance on church property against the temptations of disembodied spirit. It is considered to be one of the heavy(p)est writings of English literature, and in that it has released to a greater extent than one hundred copies in transl ated languages.II. Body A. Themes of the Poem 1. Major Themes a. passage to Salvation The philosophy of the point is that plenty do not reach heaven by practicing their religion and maintaining the slap-up nature of ones character, but rather they are particularly elect by god to enter the gates of Heaven. However, a closer reading of the text withal proves that a true believer must show that he is instinctive to face anything obstacles or difficulties along the way to achieve redemption, because even if chosen by God, he is not excused from worldly temptations around him.He is continuously tried everyday of his life to prove his devotion to Him. In real life, especially to the Catholic religion, this is not the case though. Catholics believe that to achieve salvation and witness Heaven one must be good to oneself, to other people, and repent for ones sins aside from the fact that one must hold on to that religion by heart. Salvation or God, for that matter, do not choose people who will experience endless gratification. Instead it is the people themselves who choose themselves to lead a life into the honor of God.And through this, God opens his heart to those who believe in him and may last enter the gates of heaven. b. Faith over Family Since this is a Christian book, the ratifier may attempt to question if the actions of the protagonist Christian are ethically correct choosing to pursue the path to salvation over staying with his family. The argument lies whether one should pursue what he thinks is right to his religious faith against his social right of being a father to his family.Isnt choosing social responsibility also ethically correct because its for a collective good? solely as for the Catholics, we are also expected to take God first above all else as stated in the Ten Commandments. Therefore, the invention takes its readers on a tug of war between faith and family significance. c. Lessons from seek Travel Journey has always been a wonderful experience for any person. And in this book, Bunyan fall outly presents to us the relevance of finding oneself and growing at heart this journey that one seeks.Life may be rough because one learns from his mistakes as he goes through that journey, but these difficulties prepare him to be a worthy person to the gates of Heaven. He executes not only a traveler but a pilgrim who seeks to grow spiritually. Christian here is expound as a pilgrim who takes his mistakes as lessons and eventually learns from the experience so as not to commit the same mistakes again. Bunyan also points out that what books a pilgrim diverse from a plain traveler is the understanding of the whole experience of journey.Our life today is already considered a personal journey towards self discovery. We are tested everyday as to how much faith we can cargo hold inside of us against worldly temptations. However, with the current states of mind of different people, not everybody takes home a nug get of lesson and learn from it. Some people let themselves hang prey into the pitfalls of human weakness and be immersed in the world of sin. d. logical implication of Reading The book emphasizes throughout the whole story why reading the Bible is significant in any Christian life.Like Christians readings, reading the Bible is one of the keys to achieving happiness and salvation because it shows us the ways to enter Heaven. Take for example the part where Christian is let loose while holding a book firmly in his custody and finds out a fearful revelation that leads him to seeking God. That book is the Bible, uncover to him the pains and truths about life. Reading is not only acquiring knowledge. To read a book is to understand deeply what it says and apply it in our passing(a) lives.To read the Bible is to be one with the words of God and to lead Him in our lives. e. Importance of Social Interaction If the first part of the books offers trip as an individual activity of Chr istian, the second part shows Christians wife, Christiana, who welcomes her own pilgrimage as a social activity, where more people get involved in the journey to salvation. It is Christianas strength as a socially active person that makes her pilgrimage a more productive one than Christians journey, because the former brings forth a communal force towards enlightenment.The story awakens in us the need for other people to share in our discovery for true salvation and how it makes it easier for all of us to closely work together in achieving happiness. 2. Minor Themes Bunyan also plays with some minor themes such as the value of suffering in ones life, the perseverance required to an individual to win the sideline to happiness and salvation, spirituality over material interests, and that only few could make it to the gates of Heaven. Most of all, it reminds us that as long as we trammel our faith in God, his grace is sufficient enough to help us make it through the difficult journey in life.B. Comparison to the Bible Much has been discussed about the implications of the writings in the Bible with Bunyans The Pilgrims Progress. Critics say the book is similar to the Bible with regard to its subjects, linguistic styles and techniques, symbolization or imagery as presented in the style and form of the Bible. For one, his English language is said to be the English of the Bible that one already sees all phrases as a natural expression or intend of his own thoughts. He is relating the existing observation of a biblical accession in his book.He stands up to his use of allegory by requesting to olfactory sensation into to the patterns in the Bible. However, the book extends the significance of still writing religious texts in an artistic language Solidity indeed becomes the pen Of him that writeth things divine to men, (Bunyan 4) Plus, he argues specifically about his use of allegory But must I needs want solid stateness, because By metaphors I speak was not Gods l aws, His gospel-laws in older time held forth By types, shadows and metaphors? Yet loth forget any sober man be to find faultWith them, lest he be found for to assault The highest wisdom. (Bunyan 4) He validates the belief that the Bible has become his model in writing since the text comes from God, the absolute power of knowledge. other similarity that can be derived between the two texts is seen in this rehearsal by Christian, I sink in deep waters, the billows go over my head, all his waves go over me, Selah (Bunyan 126). This quotation is adapted from Psalm 427, He has sent waves of sorrow over my soul, and Psalm. 9 2, I am sinking in deep mud, and there is no solid ground I am out in deep water, and the waves are about to drown me. (Good News Bible) It validates the argument that Bunyan knows his Bible very well, so as not be to be mistaken as unintended quotes. More is to be said about the relating qualities of Bunyans book with the Bible, its as if the words of the Bibl e are encrypted in his head, obviously making him also the character in the pilgrimage journeying, making mistakes, and learning from it until he achieves salvation.But far more important than anything else is the shared theme of Bunyans book and the Bible to reveal the truth about the gates to salvation and eternal happiness. III. Conclusion While it has been suggested also that several other books may provoke been used as sources in The Pilgrims Progress, it is however clear that the books masterpiece is due to Bunyans creativeness and extended knowledge of the words of the Bible.The subject of human life being a spiritual pilgrimage that each person has to pursue may have long been a subject for many other literary writings, but Bunyans wit and inventiveness makes the book as notable as the Bible. The book expresses a somber, deep, and serious tone all throughout the story in its vision of mans journey to the gates of Heaven. The trials that these pilgrims have to face are ra ther traumatic but overwhelming. These obstacles are dealt with great patience and perseveranceThe two parts of the book are change state and drenched on the philosophical idea of puritanical salvation and the last quest for eternal happiness. Ideas and themes presented are far more essential than the while or the actions within the story. Its allegorical features make it a point for the reader to instill in his life the values that are shared, to understand the story rather than just merely reading it, and to live by it to construct the gratification of seeing the gates of Heaven open on him.And the pragmatic account, closer-to-life style brings weight to the inspiring reflections in the book. Like most of the writings of John Bunyan, his themes offer us spiritual guides, notes on personal awakenings from a dark past, answering the call to your personal or social duties, and the goodness we achieve from Gods graces. Among his many writings include The sanctified War, Grace A bounding to the Chief of Sinners, and The Life and Death of Mr. Badman.