Introduction
In 1672, Charles II relaxed the Conventicle Act that had imprisoned preachers who were not members of the Church of England. The authorities duly released John Bunyan (1628-88) from Bedford gaol, and at once he returned to preaching. Six years later he published ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, an immensely popular allegory of the Christian life for which literary experts had nothing but scorn.
THE fame of Bunyan during his life, and during the century which followed his death, was indeed great, but was almost entirely confined to religious families of the middle and lower classes. Very seldom was he during that time mentioned with respect by any writer of great literary eminence.
It is a significant circumstance that, till a recent period, all the numerous editions of the Pilgrim’s Progress* were evidently meant for the cottage and the servants’ hall. The paper, the printing, the plates, were all of the meanest description. In general, when the educated minority and the common people differ about the merit of a book, the opinion of the educated minority finally prevails. The Pilgrim’s Progress is perhaps the only book about which, after the lapse of a hundred years, the educated minority has come over to the opinion of the common people.*
Abridged
* Available to read online at the Internet Archive: see The Pilgrim’s Progress (1909). Bunyan’s story was first published in 1678.
* Not entirely. In 1684, Bunyan published an expanded edition which followed the fortunes of Christian’s family, who had refused to follow him on his journey. The educated minority, however, put its foot down and judged the second part to be vastly inferior to the first, and the common people should be aware that many editions of The Pilgrim’s Progress spare them the embarrassment of enjoying the second part by omitting it altogether. Among many other sad losses, this omission deprives us of the moving farewell of Mr Valiant-for-truth, so beautifully woven into the closing scenes of Mr Standfast by John Buchan: see The Summons Comes for Mr Standfast.
Précis
In his biography of John Bunyan, Lord Macaulay noted that ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ was at first scorned by literary critics but sold quickly among the lower classes, who prized it as great literature. Many years later, the critics came round to the public’s point of view, a turnaround so rare that Macaulay could not think of another example of it. (60 / 60 words)
In his biography of John Bunyan, Lord Macaulay noted that ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ was at first scorned by literary critics but sold quickly among the lower classes, who prized it as great literature. Many years later, the critics came round to the public’s point of view, a turnaround so rare that Macaulay could not think of another example of it.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: despite, if, may, otherwise, since, unless, until, whether.
About the Author
Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859), 1st Baron Macaulay, was educated at Cambridge University and having enjoyed success there as a writer began contributing to the Edinburgh Review, with essays on Milton and on Abolition. His father, Zachary, had been a vigorous anti-slavery campaigner and governor of Sierra Leone, the British colony specially for freed slaves. Macaulay became MP for Calne in 1830 — he used his maiden speech to call for an end to statutory discrimination against Jews — and for Leeds in 1833. He served on the Supreme Council of India between 1834 and 1838, and advised on both education and the penal code. He returned to England and to Westminster, becoming Secretary for War in 1839, and embarked on the History of England (published 1849-1861) that made him a household name. In 1857 he was raised to the peerage, but died just two years later, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Archive
Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Cottage. Educate. He.
2 All. Eminence. Respect.
3 Confine. Have. His.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding -less.
Adjectives Find in Think and Speak
For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Literary. 2 Lower. 3 Significant. 4 Lifeless. 5 Evident. 6 Numerous. 7 Religious. 8 Seldom. 9 Greatest.
Variations: 1.show whether your adjective can also be used as e.g. a noun, verb or adverb. 2.show whether your adjective can be used in comparisons (e.g. good/better/best). 3.show whether your adjective can be used in attributive position (e.g. a dangerous corner) and also in predicate position (this corner is dangerous).
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
ndrs (5)
endears. endorse. endures. indoors. undersea.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
