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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Bunyan use the allegorical approach in writing this book?

2. What happens to Ignorance as the three walk?

3. What does Christian warn Ignorance?

4. From where does Ignorance say his salvation comes?

5. What do the women of the House Beautiful give Christian?

Short Essay Questions

1. What valley does Christian enter after he leaves the top of the mountain and what happens there?

2. What do the shepherds show Christian and Hopeful?

3. What does Faithful tell Christian about why Faithful is there?

4. How does Christian get out of the river? Who meets them on the other side?Where do they go?

5. Into what do Christian and Pliable accidentally walk and what is the outcome of that accident?

6. What does Talkative tell Christian and Faithful and what does Christian say about Talkative? What does Faithful say once he understands Talkative?

7. Where does Christian go from the valley in question 10 and what is bad about it?

8. Whom do Christian and Hopeful meet after Christian leaves Vanity?

9. What does Worldly wise suggest to Christian and how does that turn out?

10. Where do Christian and Hopeful go after they leave the castle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting is a literary element with many qualities: It can establish mood, tone, and circumstances. It can also contribute directly to a novel's plot. Discuss one of the following regarding setting in The Pilgrim's Progress:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Pilgrim’s Progress.

2. In what ways does the author employ symbolism and imagery in his depictions of the settings in the narrative? What do the settings themselves represent symbolically or metaphorically?

3. What themes are developed through the author's depictions of settings in The Pilgrim's Progress? How are they developed?

Essay Topic 2

Many themes are overtly presented in The Pilgrim's Progress through character development, setting, and action. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of faith in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with faith? Why? What are some symbols of faith? What characters seem faithful? Which do not? How does faith help drive the plot?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of false appearances in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to be someone other than who they are? How do physical places seem to often represent good or evil and be the opposite?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of the difficulty of salvation in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Why might a reader think the author believes the way to salvation is difficult? How does the author attempt to present this view? What are some of the symbols and metaphors that support this theme?

Essay Topic 3

The River of Death is a final test of religious faith. The river is easy to cross if one has faith in God and in one's own worthiness to enter Heaven. It is difficult for those full of doubt or worry. Christian is overcome with final doubts about his salvation, but Hopeful manages to save him. Like their time in the Doubting Castle, the two work together so that both can be saved.

1. Discuss the metaphor of the River of Death and why the author believes death is easier when a person has faith. Use examples from the novel to support your answer.

2. Discuss the irony of Christian losing faith at the last moment after all he had been through. What does this loss of faith say about Christian as a character?

3. What is demonstrated by the fact that Hopeful and Christian cooperate throughout their journey?

(see the answer keys)

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