Christian’s pilgrimage and the obstacles he encounters on his way contain both a literal and allegorical meaning. They signify the trials, tribulations, and temptations that a person might face on the journey to heaven (the Celestial City). Every hardship that Christian faces is symbolic of the problems a person faces on the journey of life. In Bunyan’s allegory, Obstinate and Pliable distract Christian from his goal. In life, resistance to change and a lack of resolution can distract people from their paths.
Further in the journey of life, people encounter temptations in the form of wealth, worldly attractions, beauty, lust, and so on. In The Pilgrim’s Progress, these temptations are symbolized by the Vanity Fair. In life and in Bunyan’s allegory, they prevent people from pursuing the goal of spiritual freedom. Even though Christian manages to be strong-willed and overcomes these temptations, he faces other barriers to his goal. In the same way, people often confront strong opposition from others on their path in life. This idea is expressed in the following lines. PLATO