How we cite our quotes: Paragraph (P#) or Line (Line #)
Quote #1
Then said Apollyon, I am sure of thee now: and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life: but as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly stretched out his hand for his Sword, and caught it, saying, Rejoice not against me, O mine Enemy! when I fall I shall arise; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound. (P312)
Wow. This is straight out of a classic hero movie—Ben Hur, Spartacus, Gladiator, Braveheart. Christian's battle with Apollyon is huge, exciting—but Bunyan marks the turning point in the fight with this exclamation. Christian not only proclaims that Satan is his enemy, but denies Satan's ability to conquer his faith and devotion to God. The words "when I fall I shall rise" also, of course, echo the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus, Christian's greatest example of faith through death, is also for Bunyan an amazing figure of perseverance in difficulty.
Quote #2
Sometimes he had half a thought to go back; then again he thought he might be half way through the Valley; he remembered also how he had already vanquished many a danger, and that the danger of going back might be much more than for to go forward; so he resolved to go on. Yet the Fiends seemed to come nearer and nearer; but when they were come even almost at him, he cried out with a most vehement voice, I will walk in the strength of the Lord God; so they gave back, and came no further. (P331)
Because Christian does make it through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, it can be hard to remember just how treacherous it is—like watching an action movie where the hero just happens to survive ten consecutive bombs, fires, and sniper attacks. Of course he'll be fine, right? But Bunyan gives you a clear reason why Christian survives in this passage. Speaking his fidelity to God out-loud, and proceeding according to God's rules, the "fiends" cannot touch him. Why should Bunyan make this statement so powerful? Since this is an allegory, what do you think this action represents?
Quote #3
"I have sowed, and you have reaped; and the day is coming, when both he that soweth, and they that reap, shall rejoice together; that is, if you hold out: for in due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not. The crown is before you, and it is an incorruptible one; so run that ye may obtain it. Some there be that set out for this crown, and after they have gone far for it, another comes in and takes it from them: hold fast, therefore, that you have; let no man take your crown." (P462)
This encouragement is spoken by Evangelist to Christian and Faithful before they are to enter Vanity Fair. Equal parts pat-on-the-back and warning against slowing down, Evangelist's speech is the perfect half-time pep talk. It's also a good explanation of why perseverance, and not simply setting out with good intentions, is crucial to winning the "crown."
Quote #4
Now Faithful play the man, speak for thy God:
Fear not the wicked's malice nor their rod:Speak boldly man, the truth is on thy side;Die for it, and to life in triumph ride. (P500)
As you've noticed, Bunyan often inserts verse-passages into his text. Sometimes they're little songs sung by the pilgrims, or, as here, short poems that seem spoken by Bunyan himself at moments of high drama. Here, Faithful is about to make his reply to the judges and jury of Vanity Fair. But what do you make of these lines? They tell precisely what will happen to Faithful, so, in a sense, he doesn't seem to have much choice over what he will do—or does he? Bunyan's urging him here to a kind of moral perseverance. You might think about how that last line acts a kind of carrot for the pilgrim…
Quote #5
Hopeful: I am sorry that I was so foolish, and am made to wonder that I am not now as Lot's Wife; for wherein was the difference 'twixt her sin and mine? she only looked back, and I had a desire to go see: let Grace be adored, and let me be ashamed that ever such a thing should be in mine heart. (P595)
The story of Lot's wife comes from Genesis. Lot and his family are fleeing the city of Sodom, which God is about to destroy for its sinfulness. Just as they are out, however, Lot's wife takes a moment to look back at the city and… is turned into a pillar of salt. In Luke 17:32 Jesus says "Remember Lot's Wife"—a warning against returning to one's old ways, having once abandoned them. Does this story ring a bell? Hmm… sort of sounds like… Christian leaving the City of Destruction. The image of Lot's wife is one of the most powerful symbols for perseverance there is: don't look down.
Quote #6
On either side of the River was also a Meadow, curiously beautiful with Lilies; and it was green all the year long. In this Meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie down safely. When they awoke they gathered again of the Fruit of the Trees, and drank again of the water of the River, and then lay down again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights. (P600)
They can't sleep on the Hill of Difficulty, or the Enchanted Ground, or even walk in the grass of By-pass Meadow. Where can the pilgrims rest? At the River of Life, Bunyan provides his travelers with the conditions for some safe R&R. And Bunyan emphasizes that factor of safety here for a reason. The men know that this meadow is provided by God, that it's a part of the designated route.
Quote #7
"Do you not remember, that one of the shepherds bid us beware of the Enchanted 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." (P700)
Spoken like a true insomniac, Christian. But he also has experience to guide him in his counsel to Hopeful here. Having fallen asleep himself on the Hill of Difficulty and lost his scroll because of it, Christian is particularly wary of letting down his guard again. It's important to remember the function of sleep as an allegory—for letting loose, being less watchful of oneself and less vigilant in general. The pilgrims do let their guards down in some places (The Palace Beautiful, The River of Life, The Delectable Mountains), but only when their surroundings are safe and conducive to their purpose of salvation. Using the metaphor of sleep (and the awful drag of enduring through the lack of it), Bunyan speaks to the very real effort it takes to maintain one's Christian principles.
Quote #8
"I believed that that was true which had been told me, to wit, that without the righteousness of this Christ all the world could not save me; and therefore thought I with myself, If I leave off, I die, and can but die at the Throne of Grace. And withal, this came into my mind, If it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry. So I continued praying until the Father shewed me his Son." (P771)
Clearly, the pilgrims are called to "persevere" in more ways than one. While the literal journey on the road is the most evident metaphor Bunyan uses, Hopeful's description of his perseverance in prayer is also deep and important. He is describing the "revelation of Christ" to his soul here, the general phrase used for the moment of conversion. But it's no simple matter of praying and suddenly seeing Christ. Hopeful lives up to his name as he describes having had to pray hundreds of times before finally seeing Jesus.