Podcast Summary: Classical Stuff You Should Know

Episode 289: John Bunyan and Babe le bœuf bleu
Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: A.J. Hanenburg, Graeme Donaldson, Thomas Magbee

Episode Overview

In this lively and humorous episode, the hosts turn their attention from their usual deep dives into antiquity and the ancient world, jumping forward to the 17th century to discuss the Puritan classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. The episode explores Bunyan’s biography, the enduring appeal and allegorical nature of his work, and its influence on literature and culture. The team approaches the book as both a children’s and adults’ text, debating its merits, accessibility, and relevance, while peppering the discussion with personal anecdotes, tangents (such as the Paul Bunyan/Babe the Blue Ox mix-up), and tongue-in-cheek banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was John Bunyan?

• Background:
  • Englishman, born 1628 in Bedfordshire; son of a tinkerer.
  • Early life included military service, two marriages, and four children.
  • Not originally religious—experienced a gradual conversion.
• Imprisonment for Nonconformity:
  • Bunyan became a “nonconformist” preacher—refused to align strictly with Church of England mandates (06:54).
  • Imprisoned for 12 years for conducting unsanctioned religious services, and later again for similar reasons.
  • "He ends up in prison for 12 years because of not wanting to conform and follow to the Church of England.” (08:05, Thomas)
  • Family endured hardship during his imprisonment, surviving on charity.

2. Writing & Influence

• Prolific Output:
  • During imprisonment, Bunyan wrote extensively, including The Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) and over 40 other works.
• Structure and Legacy:
  • Pilgrim’s Progress was a later work in his life, published about 10 years before his death.
  • Multiple parts: Part one (Christian’s journey), Part two (Christiana’s journey), and a less-authentic third part (“Tender Conscience”).

3. Pilgrim's Progress: Story and Allegory

• Allegorical Structure:
  • Story of “Christian” (formerly “Graceless”) traveling from the “City of Destruction” to the “Celestial City” (Heaven).
  • Names are deliberately “on the nose”—characters like Obstinate, Pliable, Faithful, Despair, and Help represent internal or spiritual qualities.
  • “There’s no question of what the author is doing at any point throughout this.” (19:34, Thomas)
• Intended Use:
  • Written for broad audiences, children and adults alike, and meant for reflection and meditation, not just narrative enjoyment.
  • “It is a practical book... not meant to be rushed through, but could be very profitable to the person who wants to spend time with it.” (57:31, Thomas)

Key Plot Points and Symbolism

• Departure:
  • Christian realizes his soul is burdened; the city is doomed, but his family won’t leave. He follows “Evangelist” towards salvation (26:44).
• Slough of Despond:
  • Early setback—a bog representing despair (30:05).
• Wicket Gate and Worldly Wiseman:
  • Christian is misled by “Mr. Worldly Wiseman” into seeking easy solutions (33:10).
• Allegorical Encounters:
  • Journey is marked by figures like Interpreter, Goodwill, Apollyon (Abaddon from Revelation), and Faithful.
  • Christian fights Apollyon for “over half a day” (46:18), representing enduring spiritual struggle.
• Valley of the Shadow of Death:
  • Depicts severe internal and external trials.
• Vanity Fair:
  • A city of distraction and commerce; Christian and Faithful refuse to participate and are persecuted (48:16).
• Doubting Castle/Giant Despair:
  • Christian is imprisoned but escapes with the key called “Promise,” symbolizing hope and perseverance (50:58).
• Approach to Celestial City:
  • Passage through “Delectable Mountains,” rivers representing death, and final assessment at the gates.
  • “There was a way to hell even from the gates of heaven as well as from the city of destruction.” (55:48, Thomas quoting Bunyan)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He ends up in prison for 12 years because of not wanting to conform and follow to the Church of England. So obviously the bad guy in the story, right?” (08:05, Thomas)
• “It’s a very famous, important book. You’ll see people like, I think it’s Spurgeon, who read it like a hundred times...” (16:01, Thomas)
• “There’s no question of what the author is doing at any point throughout this. And there are benefits to that.” (19:34, Thomas)
• “If I’m in the slough of despond, I need hope. What does that hope look like?” (56:50, Thomas)
• “You don’t end this with, like, Christian rules. It’s that God rules.” (58:49, Thomas)
• “It may not make you feel smart, but I think you’ll get much more out of this book than those others.” (61:15, Thomas)

Episode Structure & Important Timestamps

• 00:11 – 01:30 | Intro and Banter

  • Hosts joke about “progressivism,” set up the Pilgrim’s Progress discussion, and riff on illustrated versions.

• 02:11 – 10:00 | John Bunyan’s Life & Imprisonment

  • Differences between John and Paul Bunyan (Babe le bœuf bleu), Bunyan's background, laws against religious nonconformity, the cost to his family, and his eventual pardon.

• 10:00 – 17:40 | Publication, Structure, and Reception of Pilgrim’s Progress

  • Bunyan’s prolific writing, structure of the book(s), influences across culture.
  • Pilgrim’s Progress references in “Little Women” (16:01), and anti-Catholic elements in the original text (17:43).

• 18:04 – 24:09 | Is Pilgrim’s Progress an Allegory? Literary Musings

  • Discussion of allegory, archetypes, and the book’s overt symbolism (20:46).

• 24:09 – 37:54 | Walking Through Part 1: Key Events and Lessons

  • Plot overview, introductions to central characters and their names, the explicit nature of its symbolism.
  • The “Slough of Despond,” “Help,” and the first challenges (30:05).
  • Misadventure with “Worldly Wiseman” and legality (33:10), “Interpreter” showing allegorical lessons (40:01), and receiving new garments at the cross.

• 40:01 – 53:53 | Christian’s Progress and Spiritual Encounters

  • Major temptations and conflicts (Apollyon/Abaddon fight at 44:49), evangelical lessons.
  • Vanity Fair: consumerism, false accusers, Faithful’s martyrdom, direct ascension; persistence in the journey (48:16, 50:23).

• 53:53 – 61:32 | Endings, Interpretations & Reflections

  • Arrival at the Celestial City, final twist of “Ignorance” at the gates (55:48), concluding poem, and host wrap-up on the book’s value.
  • “Is it kitsch, is it too simplistic, or ultimately profitable?” (60:14)

Highlights & Host Commentary

• On the Book’s Simplicity:
  • “What is this book? This is a book meant for meditation. It's a book meant for contemplation... It's a lot of talking, it's a lot of reflecting on these events and what they mean.” (56:05, Thomas)
• On Archetypes and Application:
  • “It’s a book that teaches you how to think of the events of your life in light of the sort of overarching gospel story... It almost, like, trivializes your problems and you say, I just need to keep going...” (57:31–58:10, Graeme)
• On Practical Value:
  • “You’re not meant to suss the meaning of this book... It’s on the page.” (60:59, Thomas)
  • “You may think your life is complex, but which of these stories lines up? Actually, things aren’t as complicated as you think they are.” (61:34, Thomas)
• On Reading Experience:
  • “Not meant to be rushed through, but I think could be very profitable to the person who wants to spend time with it.” (57:31, Thomas)

Running Humor & Personality

• Babe le bœuf bleu/Paul Bunyan Mix-up:
  Graeme forces the “Babe le bœuf bleu” translation, mystifying Thomas, and leading to a brief detour into folklore (02:11–03:20).
• Pizza Eating & Listener Complaints:
  Self-referential joking about eating on mic and responding to listener feedback, adding levity and approachability (05:36–06:22).
• On-the-Nose Allegory: Hosts repeatedly emphasize just how explicit and literal Bunyan’s allegory is (“on the nose” becomes a running gag, 13:39, 18:25, 19:34).
• Speculation on Bunyan's Theology:
  Humorous asides about the theological implications of losing one's “Celestial City ticket” and how John Calvin would feel about it (43:38).

Recommendations & Takeaways

• Pilgrim’s Progress remains a valuable tool for reflection, meditation, and teaching—especially for children or those new to Christian allegory.
• While it might come across as “kitsch” or unsophisticated compared to more opaque literary works, its accessibility and directness are part of its enduring appeal.
• Host consensus: Read it slowly, reflectively, not for literary “prestige,” but as a practical, spiritual guide.

Memorable Quote to Conclude:

“You may think your life is complex, but which of these stories lines up? Actually, things aren’t as complicated as you think they are. Like you’re a sinner and you need to repent. Or you’ve been led astray by your own desires. Don’t over complicate.”
(61:34–61:52, Thomas)

Next Time:
The hosts tease the possibility of examining Part II or even Part III of Pilgrim’s Progress in a future episode, and encourage listeners to appreciate simplicity in life and in reading.