Hopeful

Character Analysis

Hopeful is the eighth dwarf—he's Bashful, Doc, and Sneezy's older brother. Oh, no. Our mistake. He's just another dude in this story with an almost eyeroll-inducing on-point name.

We realize just how hopeful Hopeful is over the course of his time with Christian. Joining the story during Christian's escape from Vanity Fair, he nicely fills the best buddy role vacated by Faithful. In fact, his slightly naïve personality makes him an even more fitting side-kick, emphasizing Christian's growing wisdom:

And he said, Go, and thou shalt find him upon a mercy-seat, where he sits all the year long, to give pardon and forgiveness to them that come. I told him that I knew not what to say when I came. And he bid me say to this effect: God be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe in Jesus Christ; for I see that if his righteousness had not been, or I have not faith in that righteousness, I am utterly cast away: Lord, I have heard that thou art a merciful God, and hast ordained that thy Son Jesus Christ should be the Saviour of the world; and moreover, that thou art willing to bestow him upon such a poor sinner as I am, (and I am a sinner indeed) Lord, take therefore this opportunity, and magnify thy grace in the Salvation of my soul, through thy Son Jesus. (P761)

Hopeful was not always a good guy, in other words. He was a citizen of Vanity Fair... and we all know that what happens in Vanity Fair stays in Vanity Fair. But he was able truly let go of all of this and embrace Jesus, and this humble beginning to his faith actually makes him an awesome counterpart to Christian. When Christian is uppity, Hopeful is down-to-earth. When Christian (who was never that much of a sinner) gets down in the dumps, Hopeful is able to show him how everything will turn out a-okay if he just toes the line. After all, Hopeful knows quite a bit about darkness and despair.

In fact, Hopeful's signature quality of hopefulness and trust is necessary for them to get through the journey. This is best seen when Christian and Hopeful are imprisoned in Doubting Castle. While Christian is ready to throw in the towel and kill himself, as the Giant recommends, Hopeful convinces him not to:

Indeed our present condition is dreadful, and death would be far more welcome to me than thus for ever to abide; but yet, let us consider, the Lord of the country to which we are going hath said, "Thou shalt do no murder," no, not to another man's person; much more, then, are we forbidden to take his counsel to kill ourselves. Besides, he that kills another, can but commit murder upon his body; but for one to kill himself, is to kill body and soul at once. And moreover, my brother, thou talkest of ease in the grave; but hast thou forgotten the hell whither for certain the murderers go? for "no murderer hath eternal life," &c. (P605)

Hopeful ain't just hopeful, he's also good-adviceful. He's not just some moony-eyed guy who says "This isn't so bad," between whippings by the Giant Despair. He's also a pragmatist who keeps his eye on the prize—in this case, heaven. He basically tells Christian to buck up and remember that if they off themselves, then they'll never get to the Celestial City. Hopeful knows how much work it takes in order to stay hopeful.

And his hope isn't based on any concrete knowledge that they'll get out, but rather a particular perspective on things... and a good recall of the Scriptures. He looks at what they've already been through and takes this as a sign that they can face the present challenge. Hopeful's influence is also what allows Christian to find the key of Promise; in other words, a hopeful attitude is necessary to realize the promise of faith that God made to his people.