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Part 1: Mr. Worldly Wiseman
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Pilgrim’s Progress, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ
The World vs. Christianity
Obstacles on the Journey
The Centrality of the Bible
Women as Pilgrims
Summary
Analysis
Christian hastily makes his way to the Wicket-gate. When he gets there, he sees a sign over the Gate reading, “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Christian knocks several times, asking if a rebel like himself can be admitted. At last, a solemn person named Good-will answers and asks who’s there. Christian introduces himself as a poor sinner who’s fleeing the wrath to come. Good-will gladly opens the Gate.
The sign quotes a verse in the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus encourages people to seek him fervently. Indeed, it’s implied that Good-will symbolizes Jesus himself. The gate is readily opened to those who, like Christian, are sincerely sorry for their sins and desire to enter—even if they arrive with fears and doubts.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Good-will gives Christian a slight pull within the Wicket-gate, explaining that Beelzebub, whose castle is nearby, often shoots arrows at those who are approaching the Gate. Then he asks Christian to tell his story. Christian describes everything that’s happened to him so far, including Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s diversion. Good-will tells Christian that nobody’s past misdeeds are held against them when they knock at the Gate, and now that he’s within, he will never be cast out.
Beelzebub’s castle is nearby so that he (the devil) can try to destroy sinners who are on salvation’s doorstep, suggesting that, in Bunyan’s view, sinners are in constant danger without Christ’s protection. Now that Christian has made it inside the Wicket-gate, however, he is safe, no matter what he’s done before, and no matter what further dangers he must face en route to the Celestial City.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
Good-will then shows Christian the “narrow way,” which was established by the “Patriarchs, Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles,” and is as straight as a ruler. Many wide and crooked paths intersect with it, but if Christian sticks to the straight and narrow path, he won’t get lost. Good-will also tells Christian that when he reaches the place of Deliverance (the Cross), Christian’s burden will fall off.
The “narrow way” refers to the Gospel of Matthew’s description of the path to eternal life, which few people find. Still, that path has existed since the time of the Old Testament (patriarchs and prophets) and extends through the time of Christ’s apostles. Since Christian is securely within the Gate, it’s hard to understand why he still carries his burden. Bunyan’s point seems to be that the Cross (which Christian will soon reach) is the instrument that rids a person of sin.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
