Bunyan英国文学 班扬简介presentation.pptVIP

John Bunyan 约翰班扬 (1628—1688) An introduction Pilgrims Progress John Bunyan(1628—1688)Historical Background John Bunyan-Born about Nov.15, 1628 Mother dies when he is 15, 13 year old sister dies a few weeks later A few months later when John is 16 he is drafted into Cromwell’s army (war between parliament and the King Charles I) Taught the trade of a tinker by his father (a mender of pots, utensils,) this was not a highly regarded trade John Bunyan(1628—1688)Historical Background He is not well educated, but learns to read and write and has no theological education He is married at about 20 to his first wife (about which we know little, not even her name) She brought little to the marriage except for two books, one of which is an allegory He has four children, the first of whom (Mary) is blind His first wife dies about 10 years later and John marries Elizabeth John Bunyan(1628—1688)Historical Background While married to his first wife, he spent time reading the books she had brought as well as the Bible He also came upon and old beat-up copy of Luther’s commentary on Galatians It is difficult to tell exactly when Bunyan is converted In 1653 Bunyan renounces the church of England and joins the church of John Gifford where he was re-baptized, and began to learn to preach John Bunyan(1628—1688)Historical Background In 1660 the Puritan regime collapsed and King Charles II returned from Exile Bunyan was arrested for preaching (because the Church of England was once again the state church) and jailed The Bedford Jail was like all English jails of the day, a stink hole, filthy, no sanitation, little water or food, little warmth in the winter Bunyan was allowed visitors from time to time Bedford Jail Bedford Jail in1660，for refusing to obey the law prohibiting religious meetings. Bunyan is released in 1672 He is imprisoned again in 1677 At some time during these imprisonments he wrote this little book It is published in 1678 and Bunyan is shocked at how successful it