The Pilgrim's Progress

Content Warning: This section contains references to sexual assault.

The book Christian has in his hand at the start of the story symbolizes the Bible. It’s a forceful, indispensable symbol, as it jumpstarts Christian’s journey. The narrator sees Christian “open the Book, and Read therein” (176). The book causes acute emotions: Christian cries and shakes. The book also prompts self-awareness and fear. It makes him recognize his own sinfulness, so he cries out, “[W]hat shall I do?” (177).

Mathew tells Prudence that the Bible symbolizes “the Holy Word of God”; he adds, “I think God is wiser then I. I pray also that he will please to let me know all therein that he knows will be for my good” (836). Christian reads the book and sees God’s wisdom. As he becomes filled with God’s knowledge, his fears and self-awareness grow. The narrator says, “He burst out, as he had done before, crying, What shall I do to be saved?” (180). His response conveys the singular power of the Bible.

The narrator explains that the people of Vanity thought they should “set up a Fair; a Fair wherein should be sold of all sorts of Vanity, and that it should last all the year long” (427).