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Pilgrim's Progress
作者Author  /  John  Bunyan  約翰.班揚

Study Questions on Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

 

Provider: Cecilia Liu / 劉雪珍

 
   
1. Explain the term allegory and find passages in The Pilgrim's Progress that show up characteristics of allegorical writings. There are many abstract concepts personified as characters in the text; find them and explain their names and roles.

2. At the beginning of The Pilgrim's Progress, Bunyan speaks of a dreamer and a dream figure in an indefinite setting ("a certain place"). Consider how the text alternates between realism (focus on details) and obscurity (undifferentiated vagueness); at what effect may the author be aiming thereby?

3. Throughout the narrative, language is used as gesture or pointer. Frequently words as signs of something that remains unexpressed. What may "Slough of Despond" stand for? Explain Christian's experience in it.

4. What is Vanity Fair? Why do all pilgrims have to pass through it? Who rules it? Explain the pilgrims' experience in " Vanity Fair."

5. What do City of Destruction, wicketgate and Celestial City stand for? How does the rejection of Ignorance at the gate affect the reader? Hoe does it reflect on Protestant Christian?

6. Why is Christian presented as being on a journey called a pilgrimage? Considering John Bunyan's own life, what may be the reason for his choosing the form of a dream for this narrative?

7. What do you think if Bunyan's narrative skill? In trying to answer this question consider his background, his objective in writing this narrative, and his choice of narrative technique.
   
 
   
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