Books Quote by Charles Kingsley
““(smile not, reader, for those were days in which men believed in the devil);””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Pilgrims’ Progress, 1844
The author warns readers not to smile at a time when people still believed in literal evil, hinting at a loss of innocence.
In simple terms: Don’t smile at serious belief in evil.
Key Takeaway
Take past beliefs seriously.
Themes
faith
innocence
history
Mood
thoughtful
historical
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- theological study
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
belief systems
cultural change
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the smile symbolize?
- How have beliefs about evil changed?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may miss the original context.
