After reading · Section 17

Section 17Through the Two Valleys

Summary

Great-heart leads the company down into Humiliation, which he calls fertile and peaceful despite Christian’s former battle there. A shepherd boy’s contented song suits the low ground. In the Valley of the Shadow of Death, darkness, noises, snares, a fiend, and a lion frighten the pilgrims; resistance, prayer, and sudden light carry them through. Great-heart then kills Giant Maul, who accuses him of stealing subjects from Satan’s kingdom.

The travelers meet old Honest, who asks about Mr. Fearing. Great-heart remembers a deeply anxious pilgrim who repeatedly hesitated yet never turned back, hated sin, and received unusual help through his hardest passages. They contrast him with Self-will, who used biblical saints’ falls to excuse deliberate vice. Honest’s examples show that a confident beginning does not guarantee endurance, while a weak beginning need not prevent it. Alarmed by a warning about robbers, the weary company seeks lodging.

Who’s who

• The shepherd boy — A poor, cheerful child whose song expresses humble contentment.
• Maul — A giant who attacks Great-heart for leading people out of Satan’s dominion.
• Mr. Honest — An aged pilgrim from spiritually cold Stupidity.
• Mr. Fearing — A tender, persevering pilgrim troubled by weak assurance.
• Mr. Self-will — A false professor who makes Scripture an excuse for chosen sin.