John Bunyan 
The Pilgrim’s Progress 

First published in 1678, John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is often considered the first novel written in English, a work of religious fiction, and also a very influential work of Christian philosophy.

The work is a symbolic vision of the good man’s pilgrimage through life. At one time second only to the Bible in popularity, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is the most famous Christian allegory still in print. It was first published in the reign of Charles II and was largely written while its Puritan author was imprisoned for offences against the Conventicle Act of 1593.



The author dreams about a man named Christian, who is struggling with his spirituality. He is visited by Evangelist, a spiritual guide, who orders him to go to the Celestial City, Mount Zion. Christian’s wife and children refuse to leave their home and accompany him, so he abandons them…