Classics and the Western Canon discussion

I agree. However, when Chesterton grouped various men together based on one perceived commonality, he was also attaching a label, and, in the case of Bunyan at least, forgetting the individual.

(I mean, if Christian's conversation with Ignorance is any indication, Bunyan doesn't trust the reason and good feeling of man in his fallen state.)

Oh, right. Man cannot depend on reason alone, according to Bunyan. He needs revelation and the work of the Holy Spirit—more than just reason.

Quite right. For Bunyan, the difference that matters is not between average man and great man, as Chesterton and Carlyle seem to suggest, but between the old man in Adam and the new man in Christ.

Just (re)finished a book that I might consider as an antidote to PP: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.

Interesting connection Lily. Although I did not read PP, I know enough about it to see your point. As I suspect you know Marilynne Robinson is Christian believer herself.

Lily wrote: "Just (re)finished a book that I might consider as an antidote to PP: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson."

I love it, Lily!

Recently brought to my attention was a Guardian list of the "100 best novels" -- actually in several variations! You can look for those if interested, but thought I'd at least link here the commentary on Pilgrim's Progress:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

Lily wrote: "...but thought I'd at least link here the commentary on Pilgrim's Progress:..."

Just out of curiosity, if you had never read or heard of PP before, would you be inclined to read it, based on that commentary/review alone?