The Pilgrim’s Progress :
“The
Pilgrim’s Progress” is a religious allegory by the famous novelist
John Bunyan. It has been divided into two parts. Its Part – I was published in 1678 and the Part – II was published in 1684. It was written by John Bunyan when he was imprisoned in 1660 for his nonconformist preaching.
Major
Characters in The Pilgrim’s Progress (Part – I) :
Christian
:
Christian
a protagonist in the novel. He is a symbolic character. He stands for
every Christian or human being who wants to seek salvation.
Evangelist
:
Evangelist
is a messenger of the God. He brings a message for Christian. He suggests
Christian to leave the City of Destruction and go to the Celestial City.
Obstinate
:
Obstinate
is a neighbour of Christian. When Christian insists upon Obstinate to accompany
him to Celestial City, Obstinate denies it.
Pliable
:
Pliable
is a neighbour of Christian. He accompanies Christian for a short while. He
returns back to his home when he falls in the Slough of Despond and when he
comes back from his incomplete journey, he is mocked at by the citizens in his
town.
Help :
Help
is Christian’s companion in his pilgrimage. He helps Christian to come out
from Slough of Despond.
Worldly
Wiseman :
Worldly
Wiseman is a practical man who gives suggestion to Christian to leave his
religious foolishness and live a comfortable secular life.
Formalist
:
Formalist
meets Christian near the Wall of Salvation. He sneaks over the wall instead of
following the straight and narrow as Christian does.
Hypocrisy
:
Hypocrisy
is a fellow traveler of Formalist.
Discretion
:
Discretion
is one of the four mistresses of the Palace Beautiful. She feeds Christian by
taking him inside.
Piety
:
Piety
is one the four mistresses of the Palace Beautiful. She makes inquiry about
Christian’s journey.
Prudence
:
Prudence
is one of the four mistresses of Palace Beautiful. She wants to know motive of
Christian’s Journey to the Celestial City.
Charity
:
Charity
is also one of the four mistresses of the Palace Beautiful. She asks Christian
why he did not bring his family with him. By listening to her question,
Christian starts crying.
Apollyon
:
Apollyon
is a monster with whom Christian fights with a sword and defeats him. Apollyon
has scales on his body, feet of bear and wings of dragon.
Shining
Ones :
Shining
Ones are the three Celestial creatures who clothe Christian with new garments
and give him the certificate. They act as his guardians throughout his journey.
Faithful
:
Faithful
is a fellow Traveller of Christian. He reports Christian about their own City.
He is faithful to Christian till he is executed in the City of Vanity for
disrespecting the local satan-worshipping religion.
Talkative
:
Talkative
accompanies Christian in his journey.
Mr.
By-ends :
Mr.
By-ends uses the religion for his personal ends and social profits. He
accompanies Christian for a short while after Christian escapes the City of
Vanity.
