Chapter 29
Before leaving the Inn, Gaius gives his daughter Phebe to
James for a wife, and just as they are preparing to leave, Mr. About Tofall
comes by the Inn, and it is decided that he should go with the rest of the
pilgrims, as he is a suitable companion to Mr. Feeblemind. When they arrive near to Vanity Fair, they
stop at the home of Mr. Mnason who invites his friends Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy
Man, Mr. Love Saint, Mr. Darenot Lie, and Mr. Penitent to visit the pilgrims
and have fellowship; much is discussed including the two things one must have
when on pilgrimage: courage to stay on their path and an unpolluted life so as
not to defile the name of a Pilgrim.
Over the time that the Pilgrims remain with Mr. Mnason, Christiana’s
last two sons are married to Mr. Mnason’s daughters, and Mercy continues
working for the Poor, while the men of the group must battle a Monster that
“made great havoc of children, and yet was governed by a woman.”
Chapter 30
After they leave the home of Mr. Mnason, and pass through
Vanity Fair without much concern, they come by the Pillar of Salt toward the
Delightful Mountains to the meadow where little ones are raised in the care of
a Man “who gently leads those who have young.”
Finally, as they arrive at By-path Meadow, near Doubting Castle where
Giant Despair resides, Great Heart decides it is his responsibility to overcome
evil and declares to destroy the Giant and his castle, as old Honest and
Christiana’s four sons agree to go with him; therefore, another victory is won
for Great Heart, and they rescue two more Pilgrims, Mr. Despondency and his
daughter Much Afraid.
Chapter 31
When they arrive at the Delightful Mountains, they meet with
the Shepherds who show the Pilgrims new places: such as Mount Marve,
where a man moves hills with his Words to teach Pilgrims how to move
difficulties out of their path using their Faith; Mount Innocent, where two
men, Prejudice and Illwill, throw dirt in vain at Godlyman, dressed in all
white, because they hate his goodness though dirt will not stick to him; Mount
Charity, where a man makes coats out of a bundle of cloth that never dwindles
because if you desire to give in labor, “you shall never lack the ability to
give.” Mercy also desires to see the
Byway to Hell, in which the Shepherds show her, and she hears the lamenting of
those who suffer in that place; and then Mercy asks for the Mirror that shows
the face and likeness of the Prince of Pilgrims himself, which they also give
to her.
No comments:
Post a Comment