The Pilgrim's Progress

The Pilgrim’s Progress was written by John Bunyan and published in 1678. The work is a religious allegory that is among the most famous works of English literature; many critics also consider it the first English example of the novel genre. Like Christian, the main character in Part 1, Bunyan’s path to Christianity was a journey. After rejecting religion early in his life, Bunyan devoted himself to God and became a Puritan. He believed the Church of England (C of E) needed to be cleansed (i.e., “purified”) of its Catholic parts, and he defied laws that tried to force people to conform to the C of E’s edicts. Authorities jailed Bunyan multiple times for his dissent. One sentence lasted 12 years; another ended after six months. While in jail, Bunyan wrote many books and pamphlets, including much of The Pilgrim’s Progress. The book was an immediate hit, and other authors tried to capitalize on Bunyan’s success by publishing spurious sequels. In 1684, Bunyan published a genuine sequel that traces the spiritual journey of Christian’s wife, Christiana, and their children.

Editions of The Pilgrim’s Progress tend to vary.