Pilgrim's Progress

Pilgrim’s Progress’s Setting

Pilgrim’s Progress has many detailed settings and events. Readers experience fights with dragons, roaring lions, and valleys filled with monsters. However, out of all the scenes, Christian’s encounter with the Worldly-Wiseman strikes attention best. Not only does he manipulate him, but a menacing hill almost crushes the pilgrim. Next, his teacher calls upon the skies, and magma spouts from its sinister peak.

The signature smell of cow manure would surely haunt Christian for days. The Slough of Despond’s mud weighs down his burden and chafes his skin. Likewise, the grit in his mouth absorbs what little hydration he has left. While his feet squelch with each step, their chattering puts his teeth on edge.
As always, the godly man smells of clean rivers and sweet honey, but a scowl interrupts his peaceful aura. Bracing himself, Christian suffers his scolding and words. Did he hear him say to travel to the wicket gate? Was he so easily tricked by a few kind phrases? Evangelist almost says more, but Christian’s humble apology cools his fury. The man decides the situation would be best remedied by God. Christian falls to his knees, and the ground’s pebbles prod his legs. The pilgrim trembles and stutters his failures, but Evangelist silences him with warnings. After the man says his part, he looks to heaven for verification. Lava drips down the mountain and a powerful voice roars. Because his eardrums feel close to bursting, Christian wails. Soon, he is on his way and determined to stay on the path.

This story contains flourishing description and vivid scenes. The character ventures through a fair filled with miscreants, a nefarious giant abducts him, and he uses a magic key to escape a brobdingnagian’s castle. The Worldly-Wiseman persuades him to rid himself of his cumbersome load by climbing to the peak of Mount Sinai and bargaining with the man at its top. Mother Earth threatens him with an avalanche. Finally, he encounters Evangelist