"The Pilgrim's Progress's influence on "Little women"

Very few books have characters' whose lives are profoundly inspired by a book as the lives of the mother & four daughters of "Little Women" are shaped by "The Pilgrim's Progress." Even as young children, the sisters played with a burden on their back like Christian in the book. On Christmas at the beginning of the novel, each of the sisters receives a different coloured (cover) copy of Bunyan's book. Even in their domestic conversation, they talk about the pilgrim's  journey, his trouble at the "Slough of Despond" etc.

Three successive chapters at the beginning of "Little Women" are entitled "Amy's Valley of Humiliation", "Jo meets Apollyon" & "Meg goes to Vanity Fair", in direct evocation of the relevant sections of Bunyan's book. When their mother has to travel to be with her ailing husband's bedside, an acquaintance & well-wisher, who accompanies her is compared to Mr. Greatheart, who escorts Christiana, the wife of Christian to the Celestial City.

In the chapter, "Castles in the air", of "Little Women", the four sisters sitting outside their house on a hillock, joined by their neighbour Laurie, call the hillock,  "The Delectable Mountain". They also comment on "Coming to the Celestial City" also later.

Encouraged by their estimable mother, the sisters consciously try to identify their faults like vanity, temper, selfishness etc., & try to overcome them. Even in their future life, they do not aspire to great wealth or status, but be content to what Providence provides for them & lead peaceful useful lives.