allegory 1. In Chapter One, the Shepherd asks Much-Afraid if she is
willing to be changed completely (p. 24). She answers very earnestly, "Yes, I am," but really has no idea what she is so fully agreeing to. He tells her that she must become very vulnerable to pain (p. 25),
and that if she would know love she must know pain too (p. 27). Discuss this concept not only in terms of loving humankind, but also in terms of loving God. That is, after all, what the "High Places" is
referring to. We want to learn to love God, and to love others as we love ourselves, so how come this will involve pain?
2. In Chapter Four, the Shepherd tells Much-Afraid, "Humble yourself, and you will find
that Love is spreading a carpet beneath your feet" (p. 56). This is in reference to the wildflowers that grow with such abundant beauty and sweetness, and yet go unnoticed, so happy to love even though one is not
loved in return. Discuss the difference between humility and humiliation, which is the name of the valley where Much-Afraid is from. Also, discuss the meaning of the water-song (p. 59, &184-185).
3. In the
second half of Chapter Four, the Shepherd gives Much-Afraid as her two guides Sorrow and Suffering (p. 66-67). Much-Afraid asks if she couldn't be given Joy and Peace as companions instead. Why must sorrow and suffering
come before joy and peace? Are they necessary in order for us to learn love? How was it that she was able to learn to accept sorrow and suffering? Like Much-Afraid, most of us fear sorrow and suffering. Are they a form
of humiliation, or bringing about humility? Explain the concept in Chapter Five of sorrow being greater after pride.
4. If God plants the Desire for Love (to get to the High Places) in our hearts, how does Satan use
fear, pride, resentment, self-pity, and bitterness to destroy that desire? It may well be his number one goal! Are there other works of the flesh that could destroy that desire?
5. Since this is an allegorical work,
discuss the concept put forth in Chapters Six and Seven when Much-Afraid must detour through the desert, away from her heart's desire, and then walk along the shores of loneliness. This is the place where she
builds her first altar and lays down her will. She learns the lesson of the furnace of fire, as well as the stories of the thrashed grain, the potter and clay, and of Acceptance-With-Joy! The Shepherd tells her that she
will always be able to hear and recognize his voice, and that she must always obey, no matter if the path looks impossible or even crazy (p. 93).
6. Continuing in Chapters Seven, Eight, and Nine, there is more delay,
and this is when her enemies seem their strongest. Why? What lessons is Much-Afraid learning during this part of her journey? (See page 108.) The Shepherd tells her that the delay is "not unto death, but for the
glory of God" (p. 112). What does this mean, and how might this be an allegory of our own lives?
7. At the foot of the precipice of Mt. Injury, Much-Afraid, who is now more afraid than ever, is approached by
Craven Fear. He plays on her fears by telling her to imagine, or picture, what it was going to be like on the trek up that very steep mountain (p.123). In Chapter Eleven (p. 145) the Shepherd tells her to not ever allow
herself to do that. He says He will lead her through much danger and tribulation: "Even if I lead you through the Valley of the Shadow itself you need not fear..." (p. 144). How is it that sometimes we, in our
fear, try to imagine what it will be like, and what is the danger in this?
8. In Chapter Ten Much-Afraid learns the second lesson of love: Bearing-the-Cost, or Forgiveness (p. 137). What was the significance of this
little flower's situation? Is this an easy lesson to learn? Why? How does this lesson help her when she is in the storms and the mist? Which was worse for her, and why?
9. Chapter Twelve ends with the Shepherd asking
Much-Afraid if she would be willing to trust him, even if everything in the world seemed to say that he had deceived her (p. 168). She replies, "My Lord, if you can deceive me, you may. It can make no
difference" (p. 169). In Chapter Thirteen, her faith is ultimately tried in the Valley of Loss, where everything that had been gained up to that point would be lost, and she would have to begin again. It was the
turning point in her decision to follow the Shepherd, or not. What was the significance of walking down the path of forgiveness into the Valley of Loss? See especially pages 172, 176, and 179.
10. In Chapter Fifteen,
why must the natural longing for human love be replaced (p. 198, 199)? Discuss this in terms of the Biblical passage which states, "I loved Him because He first loved me." See pages 24-27; 226-227. How is it
that our great need for love can bring us to Christ (p. 249), and then His love transform us? See Chapters Nineteen and Twenty
