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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. What do the townspeople of Vanity first do to Christian and Faithful?

2. Into what does Christian accidentally walk?

3. From what city are Formalist and Hypocrisy?

4. What is wrong with the giant named Pope?

5. Why is Evangelist angry at Christian?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Christian meet Goodwill and what does Goodwill do for Christian?

2. What happens to Christian and Hopeful after the flood on By Pass Meadow blocks them from leaving?

3. What city do Christian and Faithful enter? What is there that happens all year?What happens to Faithful and Christian?

4. What is at the top of the mountain? Who is there?What do they ask Christian?

5. What does Evangelist tell Christian about Worldly Wiseman and what does Christian ask Evangelist? What is Evangelist’s answer to Christian’s question?

6. What must Christian and Hopeful cross to reach the Celestial City and how does Hopeful help Christian?

7. Where do Christian and Hopeful get confused and who leads them away?

8. What does Hopeful say about his own life?

9. Where does Christian meet Timorous and Mistrust and why is it nightfall before he gets to the top of the mountain?

10. Who do Christian and Hopeful meet after they leave the shepherds? What does that person say to them?What is Christian’s response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Christian leaves the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he sees the caves of Pope and Pagan, both of which are dead or dying. The Pagan represents the European religions that predate Christianity while the Pope represents the Catholic religion, which Christian, as a Protestant Englishman, has rejected. This same idea is repeated when Christian and Faithful reach Vanity Fair.

1. Discuss how the various religions of the world have produced conflict over doctrine. How are these conflicts illustrated in The Pilgrim’s Progress?

2. What do you see as the difficulties in a religion which has many different beliefs, depending on the sect? How does the author explore these difficulties in the novel?

3. Catholics have persecuted Protestants, and Protestants, when in power, have persecuted Catholics. Discuss how the anger and violence of religious conflict relates to the ultimate message of a loving God which the Christian faith espouses. Use examples from Pilgrim’s Progress to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Some books embody character-driven plots while others are action driven. Still others seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven? Which of these styles do you think that The Pilgrim's Progress falls into?

2. In what ways does plot structure differ between works that are character driven versus action driven? How is this illustrated in The Pilgrim's Progress?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Although the characters in The Pilgrim's Progress are allegorical representations of ideas, temptations, and assets, they are an integral aspect of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Christian and Great Heart. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Christiana and Mercy. How do they seem different? Who do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Pilgrim’s Progress help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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