Bunyan, John (1628-1688), an English preacher, wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678, 1684). This book has been translated into over 100 languages and read throughout the world. It is a religious allegory, in which people and places represent vices and virtues. Christian, the hero, sets out from the City of Destruction to go to the Celestial City (heaven). On the way, he meets some people who try to harm him, such as Apollyon, and Giant Despair. Others, such as Interpreter and Faithful, help him. After many adventures, Christian finally crosses a river and reaches the Celestial City. See Allegory.
Most readers of The Pilgrim’s Progress consider it to be a religious message. It is also a good story. Bunyan’s style is vivid and racy. It is based on the Bible and on the common speech of Bedfordshire, his home. Bunyan’s other main works are Grace Abounding (1666), The Life and Death of Mr. Badman (1680), and The Holy War (1682).
Bunyan was born near Bedford, England. Like his father, he was a tinker (maker and mender of utensils). Bunyan received little education. He served as a soldier from 1644 to 1646. He was married in 1648 or 1649. His wife led him to think seriously of religion. He became convinced that he had led a bad life, and he joined a nonconformist church in Bedford. Soon he began to preach there. Bunyan was arrested for preaching without a license, and was jailed in 1660. He spent most of the next 12 years in jail. He wrote many religious works in jail. He was released in 1672, became pastor of his church, and was returned to jail in 1675. Here he began to write The Pilgrim’s Progress. Many schools used it as a text during the 1700’s. Bunyan died on Aug. 31, 1688.
See also Pilgrim’s Progress, The.
