Dent 1 Emory Dent Cosmin Ritivoiu ENG 102 13 March 2014 Mansouls Symbolic Rebellion Mansouls Rebellion, the

second chapter in John Bunyans work entitled The Holy War, serves as a vital piece in the puzzle of this literary work. Describing the entrance and rising to power of foreign agencies, the rebellion that occurs is overflowing with significance and meaning, both obvious and hidden. However, as the reader may immerse themselves in the pages of this simple book, such significance and meaning can uplift and encourage, or degrade and confuse. In light of this fact, this analysis serves the purpose of filtering through the literary devices utilized by Bunyan, and providing support in gaining practical insight therein. Immersed in symbolism, the second chapter of Holy War depicts and introduces many involved characters, and their actions early on in the storyline. Overtly allegorical, Bunyan seeks to depict, using biblical themes, the spiritual warfare that ensues in the everyday lives of human beings. The soul of a person is depicted as a medieval town by the name of Mansoul, possessing five gates representing the five senses. Ruled once by Shaddai, or God, who resided in the citys central castle, the giant Diabolus, the devil, is constantly seeking to gain entrance and power in Mansoul, which he is successful in obtaining here in the second chapter. Governing the town and its occupants, the governing powers of the body, the will, character, understanding, mind, and other physical attributes are all represented as government officials, each bearing a name

Dent 2 depicting their occupation. Practically, in utilizing these symbols, the personal struggles of humanity with the onset of satanic agencies are vividly contrasted, through the lens of medieval conquest and hierarchy. This unique and untypical viewpoint provides the struggling Christian reader with an opportunity to examine the attacks of the devil from a different angle, by means of gleaning strength and insight on how to resist and fortify against future assaults. Yet, despite this crucial role, the allegory does possess some limitations. Upon diving into this chapter, its allegorical nature and purposes were obvious and plentiful, grasping the attention of the first-time reader. Seeking secondly to test these symbols, however, not all of them turned out to be logical or scripturally coherent. One example of such a logical deficit was noticed in the treatment of the human body as a medieval fortress, Mansoul, with numerous occupants residing inside. Placing the reader in a monarchial, self-empowering mood, chapter two encourages a sense of awareness to invading influences, and a drive to rally against them. Accomplished well, the task of depicting this warfare aspect of the Christian experience is both beneficial and detrimental. Skillfully, Bunyans allegorical parallels encourage a sense of self-worth, willpower, and the desperate need Gods people ought to feel in resisting the attacks of the adversary. Yet, numerous, miniature occupants dont power the body, and the battles Christians fight are more intellectual than physical. Thus, as with most symbolism and allegories, there comes a point when symbolic significance is lost, and fails to support the paralleled, hidden meaning any longer. With this in mind, the reader may continue to venture through the pages of Mansoul.

Dent 3 Simple and familiar, the diction Bunyan utilizes in this chapter of Holy War could be easily understood by most literate individuals, from the early teen ages and onwards. In this portion of the book, Bunyan introduces many new characters into the plot line, possessing names with symbolic connotations. This is evident in one character, Lord Lustings, for example, whose role, desires, and character can be envisioned simply through his name. Evident in almost all of the storyline members, these names, loaded with meaning, play an important part in preserving the diction of the book. Taking his audience into account, Bunyan seems to be seeking avoidance from a fantasy-filled, tangential mindset being present in the brains of his youthful readers. Instead, the reader of Holy War is aided immensely, and almost ensured, that any symbolic connotations, whether in person, place, or action, will be noticeable and simple to comprehend. While flipping through chapter two, as the government of Diabolus is being constructed, an image painted by the pages of chapter one may arise, and be recalled, in the mind of the reader. As the evil giant is rising to power, and his area of dominion and slave-like subjects are depicted, the mind wanders back to Bunyans descriptive image of Shaddais dominion. The manner of his authority, the moral and mental state of Mansouls occupants, and the physical splendor of the castle and city, illustriously expounded upon in the first chapter, seem to be corrupted, degraded, and extremely lacking amidst the new dictatorship of Diabolus. Gradually building with added information and continued occurrences, the writing type portrayed consistently in this chapter could be classified as a descriptive narrative, with intermittent dialogue between the townsfolk and their new ruler. One seemingly contradictory paradox, which ended up being quite truthful and informative, was seen in the relation between Lord Willbewill

Dent 4 and his clerk Mr. Mind, two of Shaddais former subjects who took up occupation in serving the giant. Mr. Mind is described as a man in every way like his master [Lord Willbewill]one in principle and in practice (Holy War 23). Posing these two representatives, the will and the mind, as being separate may initially bemuse the typical reader. However, the close connection Bunyan enforces between them reveals insightful truth. While the mind and will are separate, their closeness to each other should not be taken lightly, for the actions of the will are sure to follow, and be molded by, the thoughts of the mind. In light of chapter three, it seems as if Shaddais dominion has been shattered, Diabolus has gained the victory, and there is no hope for Mansoul in returning to its former state. Telling the story from a third person, omniscient point of view, Bunyan derives many of the thoughts and feelings involved in the lives of the characters simply from scripture and Christian experience. As discussed, this allegorical work is capable of serving and accomplishing many purposes in the mind and actions of the reader. However, as voiced through this literary analysis, the most practical purposes the reader should retain and apply are those related to embracing the spiritual warfare that is looming about, and being defensive in preventing the devils entrance into, and dominion over, the mind.