The Summons Comes for Mr Standfast, by John Buchan

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AND what I read was the tale in the end not of Mr Standfast, whom he had singled out for his counterpart, but of Mr Valiant-for-Truth whom he had not hoped to emulate. I set down the words as a salute and a farewell:*

Then said he, ‘I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.’ So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

by John Buchan 1875-1940

From ‘Mr Standfast’ by John Buchan

The passage is taken from Part II of ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ by John Bunyan (1628-1688). See Wikipedia: The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Précis

Hannay records for posterity the words he read at Peter Pienaar’s graveside, from his friend’s own copy of ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’. Peter had modestly identified with Mr Standfast, but it was the passage where Mr Valiant-for-Truth is welcomed with triumphant joy to heaven that Hannay recited that day.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Why had Peter not thought of himself as Mr Valiant-for-Truth?

Suggestion

He thought that was aiming too high.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Peter often read ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’. He saw himself as Mr Standfast. He did not hope to emulate Mr Valiant-for-Truth.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Sevens

Jigsaws

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