Bunyan Characters (2nd Series)

In Short

This volume is a collection of analytical lectures delivered in Edinburgh, aimed at peeling back the allegorical skin of John Bunyan’s characters to reveal the universal human heart. By exploring individuals like the brash Ignorance, the trembling Fearing, and the steadfast Christiana, the author connects 17th-century theological archetypes to the practical realities of Victorian-era faith. It remains a vital work because it treats the interior life not as a static historical artifact, but as a living, breathing laboratory for personal morality, intellectual discipline, and the pursuit of a sincere, examined existence.

The Story

The narrative arc of these lectures follows the trajectory of the classic pilgrimage, moving from the initial awakening of a soul to its final arrival. It begins with the confrontation of the "brisk" and self-assured Ignorance, a character who represents the perilous state of those who possess religious manners without inward transformation. From here, the analysis shifts to the "Little-Faiths"—those well-meaning but fragile believers—and the "Atheists" who attempt to escape the tediousness of the spiritual journey by denying its ultimate value.

As the journey progresses, the focus turns to the agony of the human conscience. The text dissects the profound necessity of guilt, viewing it not as a state to be avoided, but as a tool for deepening one’s humility. It details the arrival of Christiana—a figure of resolute determination—and the tender, awe-filled transformation of Mercy, who follows her because she perceives the weight and reality of Christiana’s repentance. The journey continues through the harsh landscapes of the Valley of Humiliation and the Hill Difficulty, where characters such as Feeble-mind and Ready-to-halt emerge. These figures are not celebrated for their strength, but for their radical dependence on divine promises, showing that in this allegory, the weakest among the party are often the most profound believers.

As the pilgrimage nears its end, the focus shifts to the veteran soldier, Valiant-for-truth, whose "Jerusalem blade" becomes a metaphor for the sharp, self-scrutinizing power of a disciplined mind. The journey culminates in the transition from the struggles of the mortal world—symbolized by the hollow, deceptive allure of Madam Bubble—to the clarity of the land of Beulah. Here, the text urges the reader to maintain an unclouded mind even at the brink of death, preparing for the "beatific vision." The conclusion is not merely an arrival at a destination, but a final, urgent call for the reader to stand ready with a "heaven-hungry heart," ensuring that the end of the journey is marked by the same intensity and purpose that characterized the very first step.

How It Unfolds

The anatomy of a pilgrim The text begins by exposing the danger of those who, like Ignorance, treat religion as a fashionable social accomplishment. It warns that such polish often masks a complete lack of genuine internal conviction.

The struggle with doubt The lectures proceed to examine the "tediousness" of the path, where the desire to turn back is balanced against the intellectual and emotional rigor required to persist. It posits that the most profound temptations are not those of the senses, but of the questioning intellect.

The necessity of repentance The narrative moves into the heavy work of the conscience, where the "meditation of terror" is seen as a necessary, if painful, preparation for grace. It emphasizes that a heart sensitive to its own sinfulness is the surest evidence of progress.

The strength of the weak The middle beats celebrate the unlikely heroes of the journey, such as Mr. Ready-to-halt, whose dependence on crutches symbolizes the complete reliance on divine promises. It argues that spiritual strength is often found in the admission of personal incapacity.

The final clarity The concluding sections focus on the threshold of the end, where the illusions of Madam Bubble are stripped away. It ends with a plea for the traveler to face the final moment with a clear, alert, and expectant mind.

The People

Ignorance serves as the cautionary figure, a man of worldly ambition who mistakes his social standing and clever speech for true spiritual standing. In contrast, Christiana is the archetype of the resolute soul; her capacity for deep sorrow and her iron-fast determination command the loyalty of others, most notably Mercy. Mercy, a young woman whose maidenly heart is moved by the gravity of Christiana’s transformation, represents the soul who finds truth by witnessing the authentic repentance of another.

Then there is the haunting presence of Fearing, a man so paralyzed by his own perceived unworthiness that he barely dares to knock at the gate of salvation. His fragility is mirrored by Feeble-mind, who constantly seeks the support of others to climb the hills of life. Both find their redemption through the guidance of Greatheart, a protector who turns their calamities into the "finest mercy" of their lives. Finally, Valiant-for-truth stands as the ideal seeker, armed with a "Jerusalem blade" that he uses primarily to dissect and conquer his own pride, illustrating that the truest battle is always the one fought within one’s own heart.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the nature of religious pretense:

"This is a new kind of pilgrim; there are not many pilgrims like this bright brisk youth."

On the necessity of active, imaginative faith:

"Walk up and down with Him, observing His manner, His look, His gait, His divinity in your humanity, till Galilee and Jerusalem become Scotland and Edinburgh."

On the deceptive nature of worldly ambition:

"Wealth, fame, place, power; art, science, letters; politics, churches, sacraments, and scriptures—all are so many bubbles in Madam Bubble's World."

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an argument for the "examined life." It suggests that the primary obstacle to a meaningful existence is the complacency of the human heart, which prefers the comfort of "bubbles" and social respectability over the raw, terrifying, and beautiful labor of genuine faith. The central question is how a person can maintain an authentic inner life in a world that encourages superficiality. It posits that truth is found only through "evangelical humility"—a state of constant, bitter, and necessary awareness of one's own secret sinfulness. By removing the veil of metaphor, the book argues that true spiritual maturity is not a steady climb toward perfection, but an ever-deepening reliance on forces—divine promises—that lie entirely outside the self.

Why Read It Today

This book is intended for those who appreciate a rigorous, sermon-like tone and who find comfort in the bracing challenge of classical theology. Readers who enjoy the prose of the 19th century will find the language evocative and precise, though those unaccustomed to the density of religious discourse may find the pace deliberate and demanding. It is not a light or breezy read; it asks the reader to sit with uncomfortable emotions like terror, shame, and intense self-scrutiny.

However, the experience of reading it feels like sitting under the tutelage of a mentor who is both exacting and profoundly compassionate. It does not shy away from the darker aspects of the human condition—the "leech of hell" that is secret envy or the "dungeons" of the doubting mind. You will leave these pages with an enduring sense of the weight of your own choices. Despite its age, the book’s insistence on "acting the man" and keeping one’s eyes focused on the object of one’s faith resonates as a powerful antidote to modern distraction. It is a demanding, slow-burning study that stays with you, forcing you to look at your own "past life" and "present heart" with a new, quiet, and uncomfortable clarity.