Vanity, Vanity. Of all the distractions that prey on characters in The Pilgrim's Progress, respect and reputation are the most consuming. Mr. Worldly-Wiseman, Pliable, Formalist and Hypocrisy, Pickthank, By-ends, and Atheist are only a few of the characters who are fatally devoted to appearances rather than truth.
Vanity Fair is the epicenter of this problem in the story. It's the place where Bunyan shows most clearly his idea that good Christians just aren't worried about their reputations all the time. All of these citizens of Vanity Fair believe not only that cash rules everything around them (C.R.E.A.T?), but so does keeping up with the Joneses.
Questions About Respect and Reputation
- Why is concern over reputation dangerous, or in opposition, to the life of a Christian pilgrim?
- How does Bunyan criticize the desire for wealth, respect, and rank?
- Is it possible, within Bunyan's worldview, to follow the gospel and to care about one's reputation at the same time? Why or why not?
- Certain characters in the story, like Talkative and By-ends, are known to Christian already by their reputations. To you, does this consideration of reputation bias Christian in a bad way? How can reputation be important in some instances, but vain and shallow in others?
Chew on This
In Vanity Fair, reputation is not only for sale among the vendors, but targeted by Bunyan as one of the most dangerous commodities.
In The Pilgrim's Progress, Bunyan creates a hard distinction between what men see and care about and what matters to God.