The Pilgrims Progress - Writers Forum

SeattleGhostWriter · 01-11-2006, 02:34 PM

Who all has read this book? I read it twice and still find it fasciniting. Just curious what others have thought about this type of Allegorical writing and if there are any authors today who write a story from an allegorical perspective.

Achilles · 01-11-2006, 03:04 PM

I've read Pilgrim's Progress several times. It is indeed fascinating.

The only other more modern allegory that is similar in many regards is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Beyond that, most allegories I've come across are cheap imitations.

sebastian · 04-27-2006, 03:09 PM

hmm... i read Pilgrims Progress and found it quite dull. If you like this type of thing then try checking out The Vision of Piers Ploughman. Its (kinda) the same story but written about three hundred years earlier... watch out for middle english language though that makes Chaucer easily readable!

mushroompig · 04-28-2006, 04:36 AM

On the average, it's probably more interesting and meaningful for those who are familiar with the specific parts of the Bible that each of the many allegorical elements represent.

I do think Pilgrims' Progress is a great book. But the thing I don't really like is how the frequent and dense allegory throughout the story seems to appeal to the part of the mind which tends to interpret the Bible too literally. But the book nevertheless has a directness and simplicity of faith not found in the vast majority of the more recent and more politically correct Christian books.

The Hooded One · 04-30-2006, 04:16 PM

This book is one of the greatest (simple) biblical interpretations ever written. It can appeal to both non christians and christians. It is told in a way that makes you think and understand the concept of christianity a little better.

Sincerely - J.C

J. Bryan Shoup · 05-19-2006, 11:13 PM

As much as I enjoy C.S. Lewis as a fiction writer, the "allegorical" nature of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" pales in comparison to Bunyan's classic, since Lewis leaves out major theological concepts of the Christian faith. Lewis also viewed his work as a "supposition," not an "allegory," that is, if a world such as Narnia existed, how would the Christian God set about to redeem it? This alone might excuse him for leaving out major aspects of the humility of Christ when creating Aslan and leaving out the ideas of depravity (Aslan dies solely for Edmund).

Also, I can't recall any racism in "The Pilgrim's Progress," but it's been a little while since I read it. I wonder if it would age well.

That being said, this is one of the most haunting passages I can think of in religious writing:

The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist
very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist,
pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder
wicket-gate? [Matt. 7:13,14] The man said, No. Then said the other,
Do you see yonder shining light? [Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19] He
said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that light in your
eye, and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the gate; at
which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt
do.

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run.

Now, he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children,
perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put
his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! life! eternal
life! [Luke 14:26] So he looked not behind him, but fled towards
the middle of the plain. [Gen. 19:17]

chuff · 05-20-2006, 12:51 AM

It's an overall well-written allegory..

I read it once when I was about 11 years old.
It fascinated me.

ross · 05-20-2006, 03:57 AM

Yeah me too. I might read it again now!l

Anne Lacey · 05-25-2006, 09:49 AM

I love Pilgrim's Progress. I read a children's version when I was very young and the adult version later in life. The novel I'm currently working on is a Biblical allegory. And if you liked Pilgrim's Progress, you should read Hind's Feet on High Places. Wonderful book!

SeattleGhostWriter · 05-25-2006, 10:16 AM

I might re-read it again, one of the best classics of literature I think any person should read, especially for a writer. Gives you an Idealistic platform on what real writing could do.

messianic5 · 05-28-2006, 09:51 AM

My husband has read the Biblical allegory, "Arena" by Karen Hancock and thought it was excellent!