"The Pilgrim's Progress" as It Applies to Christianity

The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan is a symbolic work that shows many of the obstacles a Christian will face and hopefully overcome when seeking the Lord. The main character, a man uncreatively named Christian, feels a calling for Christ and sets out on a journey to seek the Celestial City, which represents Heaven. Throughout his journey, he meets many interesting people, all of whom are symbolic of something. It is interesting to see how Christian's faith evolves and becomes stronger throughout the story. With each situation he finds himself in, Christian learns more about choosing making good decisions and trusting in God. The Pilgrim's Progress illustrates the point that the road to heaven is difficult, and that although man is full of doubt and Sin, he is able to attain glory. Christian's reactions to early trials are somewhat foolish and naive, however his faith progresses throughout his journey, and he eventually enters the Celestial City with a passionate heart for God. While still inexperienced and young in faith, Christian meets early trials and tribulations. He and his temporary companion, Pliable, fall into the Slough of Despond. This setback early in the pilgrim's journey shows that Christian is still quite young in faith. The Slough of Despond represents a place where believers fall when they are weak in faith or temporarily lose sight of their goals. When Pliable abandons Christian in the pit, he is left alone to try and escape. A man named Help, however, unexpectedly aides Christian in exiting. Soon after, a man named Mr. Worldly Wise tempts Christian to settle in a town called Morality instead of heading for the Celestial City. He claims that Morality is a place for good, solid men, and that Christian would also be able to move his family there. Christian almost agrees, but Evangelist appears and urges him to continue and not settle for just Morality. The preceding two examples show that Christian is easily strayed. God,