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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 is the first thing Christian is shown after leaving the area of the Devil’s Castle?

2. What are the names of the paths around the Hill of Difficulty that Formalist and Hypocrisy take?

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

4. Why does Christian think they should go into the By Path Meadow?

5. What is wrong with the giant Pagan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Christian and Hopeful go after leaving the Enchanted Ground and where is it in relation to Celestial City?

2. What does Hopeful say about his own life?

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

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

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

6. Who is Christian and why does he leave his home?

7. What does Evangelist tell Faithful and Christian about the city they are about to enter?

8. What are some of the images Interpreter shows Christian?

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

10. What does Atheist say to Christian and Hopeful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following regarding the literary technique of the dream sequence that is employed in The Pilgrim's Progress:

1. What is a dream sequence in narrative literature? How does this term apply to the narrative in The Pilgrim's Progress?

2. What are the advantages of employing a dream sequence or frame in a novel? What are the disadvantages?

3. What does the frame of the dream sequence say about the content of the story itself?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes The Pilgrim’s Progress interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Christian. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Christiana. Is Christiana the hero or protagonist in the narrative or does she serve as an antagonist? How does she contribute to the plot? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Discuss and analyze the character of Great Heart. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character?

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of the Interpreter. How does the Interpreter contribute to the novel's plot? Is he aligned with the protagonists of the novel or the antagonists?

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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