Question

At the end of Part I, Ignorance is cast into Hell even though he has crossed the river to the gate of the Celestial City.

What effect did author John Bunyan most likely intend this allegorical event to have?


It would please readers who do not consider themselves ignorant.

It would warn readers that there is no sure way to be saved, even in the Celestial City.

It would remind readers that the message of the allegory is only an opinion.

It would encourage readers to fight against sin in their lives while maintaining their faith.

Answer 1

I believe the correct answer is: It would encourage readers to fight against sin in their lives while maintaining their faith.

In this excerpt from “Pilgrim's Progress” (1678), a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan, at the end of Part I, Ignorance is cast into Hell even though he has crossed the river to the gate of the Celestial City (Heaven) in order to encourage readers to fight against sin in their lives while maintaining their faith.

As it is seen in the text, Christian has gained a friend in Hopeful and with his help (reminding and assuring him that Christ will take away his sins) crossed the river to the Celestial City, but the Ignorance crossed the river in a ferry called the Vain Hope. The true Hope is important part of Christian religion, alongside Love and Faith, and is, therefore, needed to go to Heaven.