How we cite our quotes: Paragraph (P#) or Line (Line #)
Quote #1
He that will enter in must first without
Stand knocking at the Gate, nor need he doubtThat is a knocker but to enter in;For God can love him, and forgive his sin. (P110)
This inserted song from Christian's entrance through the Wicket Gate alludes specifically to a verse from Matthew 7:7: "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." In contrast to many of the images throughout this story of the difficulty of Christian living, this one represents the readiness of God to forgive. Thinking of this metaphor in relation to forgiveness, what do you see the "knocking" to stand for?
Quote #2
Christian: Wherein, O Apollyon, have I been unfaithful to Him?
Apollyon: You have already been unfaithful to Him and I see, by the mud on your clothes, you almost choked in the Gulf of Despond. You attempted wrong ways to be rid of your burden. You slept and lost your roll. You almost went back at the sight of the lions. And when you talk about your young days and what you saw and heard you like to have praise for it all, yourself.
Christian: All this is true, and much more which you have left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive. Besides, these sins possessed me in your own country; I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, but now have obtained pardon from my Prince.
Apollyon: Then Apollyon broke out into a terrible rage, saying, "I am an enemy to this Prince; I hate His person, His laws, and people; I came out on purpose to kill you." (P303-307)
Apollyon's eruption in this exchange demonstrates the deceitfulness of his previous attempts to win Christian back. But it's interesting to look at what specifically makes him angry in Christian's speech: the account of God's forgiveness of Christian's sins. What does it mean that Bunyan makes this point so hateful to the demon?
Quote #3
Then there came to him a hand, with some of the leaves of the Tree of Life, the which Christian took, and applied to the wounds that he had received in the Battle, and was healed immediately. (P315)
Following the battle with Apollyon (and his pretty fantastic win), Christian receives a healing that almost sounds like something out of a fantasy story. The Tree of Life is a reference to Genesis—the Tree of Life standing beside and in contrast to The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Thinking of this battle allegorically (think for instance, of what challenges or events in real life could be thought of as battles with the devil), what do you see these "wounds" standing for? In this light, how does the balm of the leaves heal Christian, and why "immediately"?