The Pilgrim’s Progress

The Pilgrim’s Progress

by

John Bunyan

Hopeful Character Analysis

Hopeful, from the city of Vanity, witnesses Faithful’s brutal execution in Vanity Fair and is encouraged to follow Christian from then on; they become companions for the rest of their pilgrimage. While he and Christian are imprisoned in Doubting Castle, Hopeful is Christian’s encourager, reminding him of obstacles he’s overcome in the past and trusting that God will rescue them somehow. Later, on the Enchanted Ground, Hopeful is more susceptible than Christian to the sleep-inducing effects of that place, but he stays awake by telling Christian the story of his conversion. He used to love the indulgences Vanity Fair had to offer, but eventually felt a sense of conviction, or shame, over his sins. After much inner struggle, Hopeful had a vision of Christ telling him to believe, and he realized that he must simply trust Christ instead of his own failing efforts to reform his life. Hopeful has an easier time crossing the River of Death, encouraging Christian along the way, and together they enter the Celestial City.

Hopeful Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress

The The Pilgrim’s Progress quotes below are all either spoken by Hopeful or refer to Hopeful. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Theme Icon
).
Part 1: Giant Despair and Doubting Castle Quotes

My Brother, said he, rememberest thou not how valiant thou hast been heretofore? Apollyon could not crush thee, nor could all that thou didst hear, or see, or feel in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. What hardship, terror, and amazement hast thou already gone through, and art thou now nothing but fear? Thou seest that I am in the Dungeon with thee, a far weaker man by nature than thou art; also this Giant has wounded me as well as thee, and hath also cut off the Bread and Water from my mouth; and with thee I mourn without the light. But let's exercise a little more patience[.]

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian, Apollyon, Giant Despair
Page Number: 121
Explanation and Analysis:

Well on Saturday about midnight they began to pray, and continued in Prayer till almost break of day.

Now a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out in passionate speech: What a fool, quoth he, am I, thus to lie in a stinking Dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty. I have a Key in my bosom called Promise, that will, I am persuaded, open any Lock in Doubting Castle. […]

Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the Dungeon door, whose bolt (as he turned the Key) gave back, and the door flew open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful both came out.

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian, Giant Despair
Page Number: 123
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Ignorance, Little-faith, and Flatterer Quotes

I know my Lord’s will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I Pray, Fast, pay Tithes, and give Alms […] Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me, I know you not; be content to follow the Religion of your Country, and I will follow the Religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the Gate that you talk of, all the world knows that that is a great way off of our Country.

Related Characters: Ignorance (speaker), Christian, Hopeful
Related Symbols: Wicket-gate, Roll / Certificate / Scroll
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: The Enchanted Ground Quotes

HOPE. […] Sleep is sweet to the labouring man; we may be refreshed if we take a nap.

CHR. Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us beware of the Inchanted Ground? He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping; wherefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.

HOPE. […] I see it is true that the Wise man saith, Two are better than one[.]

[…] Now then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker), Shepherds
Page Number: 141
Explanation and Analysis:

One day I was very sad […] and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness and vileness of my sins: and as I was then looking for nothing but Hell, and the everlasting damnation of my Soul, suddenly as I thought, I saw the Lord Jesus look down from Heaven upon me, and saying, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. […] And then I saw from that saying, He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst, that believing and coming was all one; and that he that came […] ran out in his heart and affections after salvation by Christ, he indeed believed in Christ.

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian
Page Number: 147
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Beulah, the River of Death, and the Celestial City Quotes

They then addressed themselves to the Water; and entring, Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, I sink in deep Waters; the Billows go over my head, all his Waves go over me[.]

Then said the other, Be of good cheer my Brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good. […] These troubles and distresses that you go through in these Waters are no sign that God hath forsaken you, but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 161
Explanation and Analysis:

The men then asked, What must we do in the holy place? To whom it was answered, You must there receive the comfort of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your Prayers and Tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you must wear Crowns of Gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy one, for there you shall see him as he is. There also you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting, and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the World, though with much difficulty, because of the infirmity of your flesh.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker), Shining Ones (speaker)
Page Number: 164
Explanation and Analysis:
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Hopeful Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress

The The Pilgrim’s Progress quotes below are all either spoken by Hopeful or refer to Hopeful. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Theme Icon
).
Part 1: Giant Despair and Doubting Castle Quotes

My Brother, said he, rememberest thou not how valiant thou hast been heretofore? Apollyon could not crush thee, nor could all that thou didst hear, or see, or feel in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. What hardship, terror, and amazement hast thou already gone through, and art thou now nothing but fear? Thou seest that I am in the Dungeon with thee, a far weaker man by nature than thou art; also this Giant has wounded me as well as thee, and hath also cut off the Bread and Water from my mouth; and with thee I mourn without the light. But let's exercise a little more patience[.]

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian, Apollyon, Giant Despair
Page Number: 121
Explanation and Analysis:

Well on Saturday about midnight they began to pray, and continued in Prayer till almost break of day.

Now a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out in passionate speech: What a fool, quoth he, am I, thus to lie in a stinking Dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty. I have a Key in my bosom called Promise, that will, I am persuaded, open any Lock in Doubting Castle. […]

Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the Dungeon door, whose bolt (as he turned the Key) gave back, and the door flew open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful both came out.

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian, Giant Despair
Page Number: 123
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Ignorance, Little-faith, and Flatterer Quotes

I know my Lord’s will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I Pray, Fast, pay Tithes, and give Alms […] Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me, I know you not; be content to follow the Religion of your Country, and I will follow the Religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the Gate that you talk of, all the world knows that that is a great way off of our Country.

Related Characters: Ignorance (speaker), Christian, Hopeful
Related Symbols: Wicket-gate, Roll / Certificate / Scroll
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: The Enchanted Ground Quotes

HOPE. […] Sleep is sweet to the labouring man; we may be refreshed if we take a nap.

CHR. Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us beware of the Inchanted Ground? He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping; wherefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.

HOPE. […] I see it is true that the Wise man saith, Two are better than one[.]

[…] Now then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker), Shepherds
Page Number: 141
Explanation and Analysis:

One day I was very sad […] and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness and vileness of my sins: and as I was then looking for nothing but Hell, and the everlasting damnation of my Soul, suddenly as I thought, I saw the Lord Jesus look down from Heaven upon me, and saying, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. […] And then I saw from that saying, He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst, that believing and coming was all one; and that he that came […] ran out in his heart and affections after salvation by Christ, he indeed believed in Christ.

Related Characters: Hopeful (speaker), Christian
Page Number: 147
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 1: Beulah, the River of Death, and the Celestial City Quotes

They then addressed themselves to the Water; and entring, Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, I sink in deep Waters; the Billows go over my head, all his Waves go over me[.]

Then said the other, Be of good cheer my Brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good. […] These troubles and distresses that you go through in these Waters are no sign that God hath forsaken you, but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker)
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 161
Explanation and Analysis:

The men then asked, What must we do in the holy place? To whom it was answered, You must there receive the comfort of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your Prayers and Tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you must wear Crowns of Gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy one, for there you shall see him as he is. There also you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting, and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the World, though with much difficulty, because of the infirmity of your flesh.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker), Shining Ones (speaker)
Page Number: 164
Explanation and Analysis: