Hinds’ Feet on High Places

The story of Hinds’ Feet on High Places is an allegory, meaning that its characters and events represent specific ideas and concepts, which are usually moral, political, or—as in this case—religious. Hurnard has written Much-Afraid’s journey to represent a Christian life of devotion, from early belief to salvation to maturity, and each of the characters and challenges Much-Afraid encounters is part of this religious development. In many cases, the author has used names that clearly indicate how each element of the story fits into this allegorical framework: The Shepherd is a Christ figure, Much-Afraid learns to embrace Suffering and Sorrow, and the High Places represent a mature stage of religious ascent, for example. Through these signposts, Hurnard depicts the entirety of a Christian’s journey to embracing Christ.

The key to the allegory is the personification of the various passions that inhabit the world in which Much-Afraid lives. Craven Fear, Mrs. Dismal Forebodings, Pride, Bitterness, Self-Pity—all of these characters at various times make Much-Afraid’s life miserable and difficult to endure. It is these passions that drive Much-Afraid to seek out the comfort of the Shepherd and desire to spend her time in his presence, ultimately driving her from the Valley of Humiliation and the Village of Much Trembling into the mountains and up to the High Places.