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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 are Sloth, Simple, and Presumption doing when Christian sees them?

2. Why are Christian and Hopeful confused shortly after talking about Little Faith?

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

4. What is located at the Lucre Hill?

5. From where does Ignorance say his salvation comes?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Faithful say about some of the people he has met on his journey?

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

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

8. How does Christian meet Formalist and Hypocrisyand what happens to them and why?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

As a Christian allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress demonstrates a number of literary devices such as metaphors, similes, foreshadowing, etc. Discus the following:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bunyan chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Why do you think Bunyan chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Bunyan's use (or lack) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Bunyan use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, and theme).

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, considering whether or not they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Do you think that John Bunyan's beliefs and life are reflected in The Pilgrim's Process? If so, how?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Pilgrim’s Progress help a reader to know him/herself? In what ways do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Pilgrim’s Progress?

3. Choose one specific incident in The Pilgrim’s Progress and compare a character's response to how you think you would respond. Would you respond differently to the circumstances? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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