social units.
The society comprises of people from different social backgrounds. Members of a community interact on a day to day basis within the social units. As an art, literature represents society. The characters in a story indulge in day to day activities similar to an ideal community. The author uses the plot, characters and figurative language to steer the purpose of a literary work. Literary texts enhance the teaching of morals and condemn vices. Thematic concerns wrapped in the plot appreciate values and condemn vices through rewarding moral characters and punishing immoral ones. Authors create self-confident and resilient attitudes to push the readers into taking action. The Carpe Diem theme inspires the readers to seize the moment when an opportunity arises to change their lifestyle. However, serious consequences follow the character’s decisions since taking actions may prove risky and unwise.
Nonetheless, some decisions are meant to liberate and free the characters in question. Protagonists suffer the consequences of their choices In Paradise Lost by John Milton and The Pilgrim’s Progress. The actions taken by the protagonist may result in self-fulfillment and freedom from a burden. The protagonists make unwise decisions to seize the opportunity to attract serious consequences, as discussed in this paper in light of Milton’s Paradise Lost and Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Satan faces eternal banishment from heaven due to the quest to overthrow God (Milton 9-23). Milton creates a resilient character who faces dire consequences as a result of his unwise decisions. Satan chooses to defy God’s righteousness teachings driven by selfishness and pride. Satan ignores the dangers that await his rebellion and suffers endless torture in the fires of Hell. He selfishly casts himself as a victim overlooked for an outstanding promotion in heaven, where all angels gey equal treatment. Moreover, Satan’s pride prevents him from seeking for forgiveness like Adam and Eve. Satan ignores God’s warnings to banish him entirely from heaven. Satan’s decisions to disrespect God follow selfish interests and pride and ingenious counsel (Milton 9-23). Milton creates a protagonist who suffers the consequences of his disobedience to God. Satan, a tragic hero, faces ex-communication from heaven as a result of his revolution. Satan refuses to ask for forgiveness and vows to corrupt humankind’s mindset to join his course. At the beginning of the story, Satan falls from the sky like a comet. He disguises himself as humble like a cherub, changes into a cormorant, assumes the shape of a toad and finally a snake.
Similarly, Satan’s reasoning ability deteriorates as the plot unfolds. He convinces the devils to agree to his plan but later reasons to himself that Hell inside motivates him to do more evil. Satan becomes blinded to the grace of God and cannot reconcile his past with his eternal punishment. Satan’s choices meet dire consequences at the end of the story when he disappears into Hell in the form of a serpent.
On the other hand, Bunyan highlights the importance of making informed decisions in Pilgrim’s Progress. The Christian decides to seek Help amid challenges in life. The plot gives a story of a man to symbolize the vision of a pilgrimage of a good man through life. Christian decides to rid himself of the burdens of sins after reading the bible. He receives assistance from a man named Help and meets and disregards Evangelist’s advice to see Morality, Mr. Legality and his son Civility. Christian embarks on the journey to make changes in his life and cast away the burdens of his sins. Upon reaching Hill Difficulty, Christian chooses a straight and narrow path that leads to the cross and sepulture. In the course of his journey, Christian meets people who become worthy in the quest for salvation. He passes through the Valley of the Shadow of Death to the Valley of Humiliation. When Christian battles monster Apollyon, his companions on the journey exposes him to different challenges, one must undergo in the quest for salvation. His decision to leave for a trip in the pursuit of salvation and seek forgiveness of the burdens he shoulders after reading the bible. Bunyan uses Christian’s story to inspire readers to take action over their lives amid challenges. The quest for freedom and a change of heart constitutes myriads of problems that one must undergo to realize a difference in life.
Literature educates and empowers readers to make informed choices in life. Authors inspire readers to indulge in actions that aim at promoting their livelihoods. The decisions made by characters within the plot have consequences.
Works cited
Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim’s Progress. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1967.